Oh, Christmas

You know how in the movies, everyone wakes up on Christmas morning and it's just this time of awe;

everyone is excited about Santa coming, and there are a lot of magical moments and heart stirring speeches?

Ours was like that, kind of, but not really...

 

After waiting for Daddy and Wyatt to finally get out of bed, we got to see what Santa brought. It was very exciting! We all got new tennis shoes, Cady got a doctor's kit and Wyatt got a huge bag of stacking blocks. There were new jammies, books, balls, movies and candy. We were all having a great time.

We opted to not open presents under the tree until after church, so we began to get ready. Cady was sitting  on the counter helping daddy cook breakfast,

and then suddenly we were here:

Somehow Cady fell off of the counter top, hitting the front of her head on the tile floor, and then also hitting the back of her noggin on the refrigerator. At first everything seemed okay. She cried and wanted to be held. You could tell it had scared her. But then she couldn't stay awake, her little eyes were rolling back in her head, and that's when we got scared.

We got the the ER at about 9:45. They, thankfully, were very slow and they got us right in. After answering some questions and an initial check by the nurse, the doctor came into see us. He said that he was sending us for x-rays. After having those taken, and the doctor looking at them he came in to tell us that he was pretty sure he was seeing a fracture. That was when this momma started not handling it very well.

I thought we were going to show up and they were going to tell us to watch her for the next 24 hours and then it would be over. The thought honestly hadn't occurred to me that it would be more serious.

He decided that to be sure we needed to have a CT. So we waited around for the CT guy to get there, and while we waited we "practiced" being very still so that they would be able to do the scan. Practice was going really well, until we had to take out her earrings. Then she got very upset; not because it hurt to take them out, but BECAUSE we took them out. She yelled all the way down the hall to the CT room, "I WANT MY EARRINGS BACK!", "MY EARRINGS!", and other things to make it clear that she wanted her earrings back in her ears.

When we got to the CT room she was so upset that she couldn't be still. So we had to go back to our room and wait for the doc to decide what he wanted to do. They decided that they would have to give her something so that they could get the scan. Thankfully it was oral and worked really fast and they were able to get the scans done all with in about half an hour.

After 4 hours in the hospital, we were relieved when the doc came back in and said that he must have read the x-rays wrong. There was no fracture, it was a little cluster of blood vessels. Usually, he said, you can tell the difference he just wasn't able to on Cady's x-ray for some reason. So, as soon as she woke up we headed home.

 The rest of the day was pretty good. Cady was a little loopy and clumsy for the rest of the day. We came home and opened gifts, and then headed out to Mom and Dad's where Cady and Wyatt, Jake and I were all pretty spoiled by our loving family, and enjoyed blowing out a candle and eating cake to celebrate Jesus' Birthday. 

Oh, Christmas. Maybe someday we'll have the movie magic. Just not this year.

Funny Words

Jake and I have been shopping for a fireplace screen. We have never actually used our fireplace, but we thought we might this year, especially since my wonderful father-in-law brought us a bunch of firewood. So, we thought we would get our fireplace ready for a fire, even though it's still 50 degrees here every day.
Tonight we learned a lot of new "fire place" words and ideas of things we might need. It was all very educational.

Like:
You are supposed to have a cricket on top of your mantle for good luck.
There are things that you can buy that "hold" your matches for you
There are firebacks that you hang in the back of your fireplace just to make it pretty. They start at a mere $350.
You can purchase a popcorn popper for only $100; for decorative use only.
Andirons are these little stands that work just like a grate, but they have pretty little decorations on them and cost 10 times more.
If you have a fire burning stove, you can put a pot of water on top for a humidifier (really I didn't know this, but Jake said his mom use to do it all the time)
You can purchase a little device that rolls your newspaper into little logs for you. Jake thought it rolled each piece of firewood in newspaper, but I'm pretty sure that's not what it was saying.

But the best things we found were the section labeled: Ash Cans and Coal Hods. We were trying to figure out which one was which.

Me: "I think this is the coal hod and this one is the ash can."
Jake: "I think I'd rather just have an ash hoe"

And it's funny, because there really IS an ash hoe...
Bahaha!

Practice

Here in the Hamilton House we are practicing.

We are trying to getting ready for the most important birthday celebration of the year, and we're working really hard to get it right.

That's "Happy Birthday, Jesus" in case there were any questions...

and, yes. He just said, "Happy Birthday to you!"

Pretty good, don't you think?

Our last few weeks...

In mostly pictures.

This is my child. Even if she didn't look almost exactly like me, her love of coffee at such a early age would prove it!

When Cady was born I asked Jake when he thought we should get her ears done and he said that he didn't think that we should take her until she asked. I thought that was probably a pretty good "rule". You may not know, but Cady is a girly-girl; she loves all things pretty, and at about 20 months she started really noticing the earrings people were wearing. Shortly after that she started asking if she could have earrings. I'm pretty sure that when Jake made the "rule" he thought she wouldn't even think about asking until she was 5 or so, and then he would be able to talk to her about it. Well, anyway, so she asked and asked and ask. Her sweet Grandma got Cady some clip-on earrings, and some sticker earrings, and a cousin sent us a bag of more clip-on earrings, but it never quite was enough. She continued to ask so I finally told Jake I thought we should do it for part of her Christmas. So the week before Thanksgiving, my sister and I took both of the little girls to get their ears pierced.

On the way to the store, I told Cady what we were doing and she was so excited! I also told her that it was going to hurt (I believe in honesty), and then she would have pretty earrings.

Amber had to hold her because my palms got all sweaty, and I was a little nauseous...and I had to take pictures. There was only one lady there to do it, so they did one side at a time. Not ideal, but Cady just sat there; no tears or anything. Here she is immediately after checking them out.

Then it was AA's turn. She was immediately suspicious...

At least 3 of us were happy. :)

Isn't my little girl just so beautiful. I think she gets prettier by the day.

This picture is sideways, and Cady has crazy hair, but isn't her Turkey shirt cute? I made it. I found it on Pinterest (I'm loving this!).

I made Wyatt a Turkey shirt too, but I thought ribbon might be a little to girly for him :)

Wyatt got another haircut (his 4th already!!!). Thankfully Grandma is handy with the scissors, otherwise we would spend a fortune!!!

We celebrated Jamie's Birthday. It was a good one, I'm pretty sure she might even say the best ever. Look at that sweet little guy. He's a pretty awesome early gift!

We played in the snow... I realize there was so little of it that you can't even tell it's there, but we played in it by-golly!

Cady tried to catch some on her tongue.

Wyatt has figured out the rocking horse, and he LOVES it! Sometimes getting him off causes some issues...with his attitude!

Here he is doing the moves to "The Itsy Bitsy Spider". The "rain" is coming down. I really like it when he "washes" the spider out.

Cady has started cracking me up with her new morning routine. She comes in and lays on my bed and asks for a cup of milk. Then she chugs the whole thing with her eyes closed. After that first cup, she's ready to talk, or snuggle, or whatever. Makes me laugh every morning.

We bought and decorated our tree. It's still a little bare in this pic, but I have since put more on it. There are a LOT of gifts under it (Other than one gift I had to wait on someone else to get, I finished my Christmas shopping early as usual this year!). All but 4 of them go to someone else's house... I have 2 more gifts to wrap (I'm sure I'll help a few other people out along the way, like my momma who I helped yesterday) and then I'll have it all wrapped up. :)

On Grandma and PawPaw's last visit, they played a rendition of "Carol of the Bells" on the xylophone/keyboard toy below. It was so funny, and also amazing! What talent!!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful time getting ready for Christmas. We sure have been having a good time!

Hope

I LOVE Christmas. It is my very, absolutely, most favoritest (I realize this is not a real word) time of year. The tree, the lights, cinnamon scents, the yummy goodies, the gift giving, the paper and ribbon, the Salvation Army bell ringers - I absolutely LOVE it all!!!
Mostly I love it because of what it means - what we are celebrating: the greatest gift ever given. God sending his son. I'm in love with it, I'm in love with Christ, and because of that I am totally in love with Christmas.
In church yesterday we began the Advent readings. Do you know about Advent...it's all new to me. Advent means "the coming". This weeks reading/candle lighting was "HOPE". What a wonderful way to begin celebrating this season After all, Christ was the hope they were waiting on, and He is the HOPE whose second coming we are awaiting.

Mary, Did You Know?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

has come to make you new;

and this child that you delivered

will soon deliver you?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

would give sight to the blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

would calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy

has walked where angels trod?

And, when you kissed your little baby

you've kissed the face of God?

Oh, Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear

the dead will live again.

The lame will leap,

the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb.

Oh, Mary, did you know?

that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy

was Heaven's perfect Lamb?

And, the sleeping child you're holding is the great I Am?

Oh, Mary, did you know?

Could you imagine being Mary? Knowing what no one else fully understands - that your child is the Son of God - the HOPE of the world?

Today...

is a glorious day in the Hamilton House!

Wyatt

has learned how to use the snack cup! :)

I did it...

It's totally out of character for me, but I did it any way.

It's something I've never done before, but I might do again.

I WENT SHOPPING ON BLACK FRIDAY!

There wasn't anything I really even needed or wanted, it just seemed like it might be fun.

So I talked my mom into going with me...

A Giving of Thanks

I am thankful for our home.

I am thankful for our vehicles.

I am thankful for the food that is on our table, and in our pantry.

I am thankful for Jake’s job and that it allows me to stay at home with our children.

I am thankful for the blessing of Wyatt being added to our family; he is such a sweet little boy and so much like his daddy! I am thankful for his continued development. I am thankful that he is messy, and loud, and stinky – just like a little boy should be.

I am thankful that earlier this year I celebrated 4, soon to be five, wonderful years of marriage to Jake. I am thankful for the fantastic weekend we just had together. I loved that it reminded me of all the reasons that I married him. I am thankful that we still have a GREAT time together and find joy in each other.

I am thankful for Cady and the beautiful, sweet little girl that she is growing to be. I am thankful for the joy of getting to celebrate her 2nd birthday this year! I am thankful that the name of Jesus is one that she already knows.

I am thankful for grandparents and aunts and uncles that help with our children and spend hours visiting with and loving on us. It is SUCH a blessing to have such a wonderful family. It makes me cry with joy when I think about the blessings my children are receiving from each member. I pray that I never lose sight of that.

I am grateful that I decided to take my children into the doctor this morning instead of waiting. What I thought was probably just a little cold, turned out to be something more serious that we were able to start taking care of sooner.

I am thankful for the new friendships that God has granted me with this year. I prayed for them for a long time, and God gave me not only what I asked for, but more. I am thankful that I have people walking beside me in the Lord everyday encouraging me.

I am thankful for the seeking heart that Jesus has put inside me and the desire that He has given me to seek Him. I am so happy that He draws me to Himself. I am thankful that He has given me an open heart and a willingness to learn new things.

I am thankful for the blessing of our new nephew, Krease. I am so happy that he is growing so big so fast. I am thankful that God allowed me to see and be a part of a miracle.

I am thankful that we are headed in to the season of family gatherings and I am thankful to have family to gather with. I am thankful that I only have one more present I need to buy, and then I am finished Christmas shopping. I am thankful that I get a chance to give gifts to others in celebration of the greatest gift ever given.

I am thankful for forgiveness.

I am thankful that I understand that everything above comes from the hand of the Lord, my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Thank you to our men and women who have served and are serving.

A special thank you to their families who are willing to share them.

Band Aids

Here in the Hamilton House we are falling in love with Band Aids. It's seems as though these sticky little devices have magical powers. I'm pretty sure that Cadence could break her leg, and if we offered her a Band aid, all would be right again with the world.

Like yesterday, for example, Cady accidentally bopped Wyatt in the head with the flashlight. You can see in the picture below, how a simple Band aid made it okay...

See? Magical!

Here are a few pics from our Halloween...

Cady was a giraffe:

Aidyn was a sweet tutu princess:

And I can't find the picture of Wyatt...He was a monkey. I have better pictures of all three of them actually, but who knows what happened to them.

Over the weekend we celebrated my Momma's Birthday!

We had a wonderful time eating crab legs, steak, grilled veggies, and fresh baked bread. Delicious!

Then we finished it off with some Tres Leches cupcakes with Dulce de Leche butter cream icing. Yum!

You can see that we let Mom be 31 again (actually they were the only candles I could find except for some really big stick candles).

Happy Birthday, sweet Momma!

singing!

Tonight I am singing for joy!

SERIOUSLY!

Singing out loud, in my head, in my heart.

Why you ask?

Because tonight, for the very first time, my sweet little girl said our bedtime prayer. It was amazing!! As I sat there and listened to her words I was just so awed that my little girl is talking to the Savior all by herself. "Thank you, Jesus. I love you. Amen".

Isn't that really what we want Jesus to know?

 -that we are so grateful for all the things in our lives because each and every one comes from His hand.

-that we love Him, and our hearts belong to Him.

I wonder where God would take us if there were more prayers like that in our lives; if we stopped asking for things and spent more time thanking Him and telling him how in love with Him we are?

O.C.WHAT?

Yesterday Cady and her cousin, AA, were playing with Play Dough at the kitchen table. They were having such a good time rolling snakes, balls, and squeezing little turtles out of this little molding thing. In the middle of it all my sweet hubby looks over and starts lecturing the girls about how they can't mix the colors of the dough, because when you do that it just ruins it. I told him to leave them alone, they're two after all, and when you're 2 it doesn't matter if you mix the colors. His reply was, "It must just be my OCD kicking in."

Here is a picture of the chair by Jake's side of the bed...

 Here is Jake's bed side stand...

 Here is a picture of Jakes work bench...

"O.C.WHAT???" - yea, that's what I said too.

Here are a few other pictures from our weekend...

I'll post our costume pics later!



It's been a busy world for us, but I'm back the the blogging world for now!

I got a chance to take a few pictures of my new nephew. I LOVE to take pictures. I don't know if you know this about me. I'm not really all that good, but I really, really like to do it!

Here are a few of the better ones I was able to take yesterday.

He's a pretty sweet boy!

Sometimes You Just Don't Know

Sometimes you see a sweet picture of a baby,

and you think "Aw! What a sweet baby!"

As a matter of fact, this sweet little guy was born yesterday.

But, you know, sometimes you just don't know...

Like you might not know that he was thought about for years before he was conceived, and that the road to his conception was long and difficult.

You might not know that for YEARS,

there were many people praying

and keeping the faith

that someday God would make the hope of this little one a reality.

You also may not know that

this daddy

and this momma

walked the road to this day with such grace; that they focused their eyes upward when the days getting here weren't that much fun.

Sometimes you don't know that a sweet little baby is a testimony of prayer and how it really DOES work. A testament of Jesus; how he listens when we call and just how much He really loves us.

This sweet little guy is simply a miracle crafted by the hands of God, the newest addition to our family.

Welcome to the world,

Krease Michael Koonce.

We are so excited that you are finally here!