Together Again!

I was so excited to get up and going this morning because we were taking Asher to meet Judah for the first time since Judah had come home. We had tried to get the boys together several other times, but conflicts kept arising. Today was finally the day! We started off the morning with breakfast at McDonald's and then we headed to meet the Doyles at a cute indoor play area called Monkey's Treehouse.

Judah and Asher had been so excited to see each other (it had been four months since they had last been together at Amani), but when they saw each other for the first time, they were both rather shy. They ended up playing by themselves until they happened to bump into each other, and then it was like old times: they started laughing and having a grand ole time! It was so good for me to see Judah, too, and to see how well he was adjusting. He smiled and giggled and laughed the entire time! Honey for my soul! I loved watching Noah and Bella, in particular, interact with their new brother and take such good care of him. Lindsey and I also had fun planning all the future weddings between our children and the other sweet boys and girls coming home. Poor Ryan was just wishing Danny had not stayed home with Mac and Owen!

Here are our boys together again:

Asher and Bella playing in the dress-up area

Does the picture make anyone else want to sing, "I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee"?

Asher was too busy to hang around for any more pictures.

Asher and Judah in the store area...

...and going shopping with the wheel barrow!

I have no idea what area this is, but they sure had fun burying toys and having others try and find them

I know this is hard to believe, but this was the best picture out of 10 of the whole group.

Saying their goodbyes...

Bye, Judah! We'll see you soon!

Christmas 2009

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is going to church on Christmas Eve. This time of worship always helps me center my heart on the real reason for the Season...the birth of our Savior. Here are the kids as we are about to leave.

I always like to get at least one picture of the tree...

Look whom we ran into at church? Auntie Renee! She always makes Asher smile.

Asher woke up extra early to see what Santa had left for him...a bike! (Just like he promised at a Dickens of a Christmas!)

...and legos from Mema and Granddaddy...

...and a leapster from Mom and Dad! Asher loved playing with Judah's when we were in Uganda. This gift was money!

Here we are about to eat our traditional cinnamon rolls for breakfast...not really sure why we eat cinnamon rolls other than the fact that the kids love them.

The hit of the morning, however, was the wii from Mimi and Pepaw. The whole family loves it!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Visions of Sugarplums...

...or at least gingerbread! A few days ago, Asher and Sylvie decorated some cookies. Take a look!

Can you see Sylvie's precious apron? It was a Christmas gift from her namesake, Sylvia Page. Sylvia always sends the most thoughtful and the cutest gifts!

We will decorate a few more cookies tomorrow...just in time for Santa!

Asher's Surgery

Asher had minor surgery this morning to repair his umbilical hernia. I will confess, though, that it did not feel minor to this mommy! The doctor said that the hole in Asher's stomach was 2.5 centimeters wide! Does that sound minor?

We had planned all along for both Danny and me to take Asher to the hospital, but alas the stomach bug hit our house this week, and I had to stay home with some of our other sick children. Danny was a trooper and left the house at 5:30 in the morning all by his lonesome. He even remembered to take the camera. Check out these pictures of our little guy: he is amazing! We are so proud of him!

Asher arrives at Children's Hospital

A little pre-surgery playtime!

Asher doesn't look too sure about this surgery thing...

And he's off!

Check out the yellow socks...they even let Asher bring them home!

Look at that precious baby boy!

Welcome home, Asher! Hope you feel better soon!

Asher's Preschool Christmas Program

Asher had his Christmas program yesterday. It was so fun to see him with his new friends. First, the class played "Silent Night" with the hand bells.


Then they sang several songs, including "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."



Asher and one of his friends Lilly...

Notice that Asher's teachers painted baby Jesus black...too funny!

Dickens of a Christmas

We took Asher and the rest of the kids to a Dickens of a Christmas, a festival in downtown Franklin. We had fun eating chestnuts that had been roasted on an open fire as well as sugar plums and other various treats. We also had the opportunity to introduce Asher to some of Dickens' endearing characters. First, we met the man himself, Ebenezer Scrooge.

Next, we met Jacob Marley. Unfortunately, Asher was not a big fan of this character, and he refused to have his picture taken with him.

After being visited by Marley, we happened upon the Ghost of Christmas Past. Did you know he had a wife?

Next in the story and in our visit was the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Who knew that he too had a wife?

Asher was doing really well with the picture taking until we happened upon the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Once again, he did not want to have hispicture taken. Do you blame him?

Lo and behold, we ran into Santa Claus himself. Asher told him that he wanted a bike for Christmas. Santa assured Asher that he had been a good boy and could certainly expect a bike under the tree...priceless!

To end our day, we took a carriage ride around the town square.

We had fun enjoying Victorian England and the story of A Christmas Carol. In the words of Tiny Tim, "God bless us everyone!" And may the God of all grace and mercy bless you and yours this Christmas!