Christmas 2007

Christmas was a lot of fun this year. Chloe and Drew helped put up the tree about a week before. (No need to have it up long, less time for them to destroy it). I let them put ornaments on the tree and Drew filled the bottom branches with them. (I bragged on how great it looked and rearranged it after they went to bed).

My mom's house was decorated really great this year; she puts so much time into it and we all enjoy it every year. I took some great photos of Chloe in her Christmas dress around mom's tree; I'll have to post them as well. Drew's Christmas picture did not turn out so well. He refused to change clothes and when I made him; he got angry and would not let me take his picture. I finally got two shots of him crying beside the tree and I gave up. No amount of coaxing, sneaking or waiting or anything would do. He's in the middle of the terrible two's and he'll fall in the floor kicking and screaming and stomping over just about anything, so we just step over him and keep going. Oh well, I kind of like the one with his mouth open and one big tear rolling down his cheek; it looks like he's hollering "Stop it Mommy!!!" He was probably saying "Me no love you!! Me no like you!!" He tells me that a lot and my answer is that he doesn't have to like me; he just has to listen to me!

Chloe asked me every morning for the first 25 days of December if today was Christmas and I was so glad to finally be able to tell her yes. She was so excited; Drew was more laid back about it. Allen and I were up until midnight wrapping everything for Santa and then withing 30 minutes on Christmas morning they had opened over a dozen presents and then they were really excited to see Grandma and Granddaddy coming with more.

It would have been an almost perfect Christmas, all that was missing was my brother, Evan. Next year, if it be God's will, we will have our perfect family Christmas and we'll have so much for which we are thankful.

2007 has had its ups and downs, but there has been so much happiness and so many unexpected blessings this year. I am so proud of two of my brothers; it is such a pleasure to know them and words cannot express how thankful I am for how God has tranformed their lives. Love you Greg and Evan!