Back to Texas

We're back! To Texas that is. Since Darin had to practice early with the Worship Band at Church, we dropped him off and then headed to Starbucks for breakfast before heading back to the church. Poor Caily went straight from bed to her car seat so she was still waking up and decided that Grandpa made the perfect chair.

Once she started waking up she decided that Mimi's chair was just right....what a little sweetheart, even though she is cutting two molars and an eye tooth so has a very sore mouth these days. Hopefully she will cut them all soon and be back to her normal cheerful self.

After Church we went to The Salt Lick...a Texas Barbecue! It was lots of fun and tasted yummy. We went for the Family Meal which was all you could eat.....definitely a taste of Texas.

Hopefully I will be able to capture some of Caily's smiles as the week goes on, but for today, here is just a little peek of our Texas Kids!

First Advent

I remember well when we first got married, Dave thought that Christmas preparations shouldn't start until December 1st!! Christmas Music and all....

How things have changed.....now the Christmas Villages go up right around Remembrance Day(November 11 for those of you in other countries). Aidan loves looking at the lights and stares at the little figurines.

Dave tries to get the Christmas Trees up around American Thanksgiving. The first one is up downstairs and we have enjoyed several evenings with the lights on, sparkling and reflecting off the colored balls.

And on my door hangs my Christmas Wreath.......looking quite lovely against the brightly painted red(sure am glad I got that door painted last summer).

Tomorrow is the First Advent Sunday.....the beginning of the Christmas preparations in our hearts. I am trying to slow down this Advent Season and intentionally take time to remember the reason for the season. I am not sure if I will succeed but at least I can try. How about you?

Taking time to Cut the Cake!

We have all heard the expression taking time to smell the roses. Yesterday in the midst of a busy day at work, we took time in the afternoon to cut the cake! A co-worker has been taking a cake decorating course and we have been the beneficiaries of that. Some friends from other departments came to our area and our entire team stopped what they were doing so that at 2:30 yesterday we could stop to cut the cake! And eat it too!(delicious chocolate on the bottom layer and vanilla on the top layer)

Life is busy and the holiday season is even busier. Take some time to cut the cake today!

To Sophie and Avery

I am having a hard day today
....so is Dave.
We are missing our two precious granddaughters,
Sophie and Avery.

You are loved and remembered
today and every day.

We never got to hold you,
to feel your soft baby cheeks,
to marvel at your little fingers and toes,
but still you have left your footprints on our lives.

You have captured our hearts
given us a new longing for heaven
and reminded us that life is precious.

Every life,
no matter how long or how short,
no matter how perfect or imperfect from the world's point of view,
from conception on,
every life is precious.

So today I remember you,
Matt and Heather's precious little girls,
Sophie and Avery,
Forever in our hearts.

Love,
Your Mimi

He Knows My Name

Who knew that it was so important for a little boy to have a name he could say for his grandmother?

The door opens and he comes running calling....'Miiimmmiiii' and jumps into my arms.

He needs help opening a series of stacking barrels....'Mimi, please?'

I am cooking dinner and he comes into the kitchen.and wants to have a better look at what is on the stove...'Up Mimi please?'

He is playing by my feet as he spends Mondays with me and looks up to say, 'Mimi?'. 'Yes Aidan'. 'Mimi?' 'Yes Aidan.' 'Mimi!'. He is just delighted that he has a name that he can call me and I respond.

All this has reminded me again that I have a maker who also knows my name. That song had been going thru my head for a few days when I just had to go online to get the words and chords so I could sit down at the piano and sing....

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands.

He knows my name,
He knows my every thought,
He sees each tear that falls
and He hears me when I call.

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go.

He knows my name,
He knows my every thought,
He sees each tear that falls
and He hears me when I call.

What an incredible thought....God knows my name and sees each tear that falls...there are a lot of tears falling these days as we remember our steps from a year ago.....

Avery and Sophie, my precious granddaughters, God knows Your names too and you are running in heaven with Him, but here on earth, God sees each tear that falls from your mommy, daddy, grandma and grandpa.