Alex and Audrey reading a book with their Grandma Stanley. The books were gifts from the Giving Tree. The Giving Tree was very exciting for the kids - it kept giving presents!!! Aunt Doris and I discussed how this would be expected next year. It was fun and gave the kids something different to do as this was our 7th and final Christmas celebration of 2008. We had a lot of fun opening a lot of presents. The kids received much more than they should have but were very polite and thanked each person who got them something. At the end of the night I asked Alex what Christmas was all about. He answered, "It's about getting presents and saying Thank you!"

We made our traditional Jesus Birthday cake this year at GG's house. I iced the cake and let the crazy rug rats throw some sprinkles and junk on it. Why not? What is more sugar going to do to them on Christmas?! Audrey was funny this year. It seemed as if everything excited her. Her most favorite was a pair of bright, sparkly, black shoes. They look great with sweat pants! Alex loves his monkey jungle (as he calls it). All I know is that it makes lots of noise.

This year has been topsy-turvey! We started the year expecting a baby and we end the year with a baby in heaven. Alex still assures everyone that we will have another boy. In fact, he has his Sunday School teacher praying for it. I do believe she steps over the line when she prays "for all the babies, in case we have twins or more." Nobody in my house is talking about having babies, at least not the baby bearin' people. We are content to watch Aunt Em and Uncle Aaron grow their new one.

Alex and Audrey have grown much this year. We are now all potty trained - I am speaking for the daddy too! Only night time diapers for Audrey but hey - done at 2 1/2, I can handle that. Alex will begin school this next year and I will have a mini stroke. He is so smart. Maybe he doesn't need to go? I am just kidding for all of you who just gasped in horror. Audrey will be wanting to join school at the same time. There is a high likelihood that she will attempted to do all of his homework. She is very smart too!

We began the year with high hopes and expectations. It is amazing what can transpire in a year's time that changes your life forever. Not in just a cliche way either. I view a lot of things differently now. I hug a little longer, love a little more, look further beyond little problems (most of them). I feel more for others, cry a little more, and still have an Anaiya shaped hole in my heart. As we begin another year I have high hopes and expectations again. They are just a little different. I want to be a better witness to my kids and family. We love you all very much.

Alex and his brand new baby cousin, Elliott Wayne. Alex is very proud. He keeps telling me how he loves babies, especially Elliott because he loves to kiss him. He will just come by and stare at him with a smile. Alex also keeps telling me how we are going to have another baby and he will be named Luigi - not sure about that. Elliott's sister, Lorelai, does not seem to carry the same love for her brother but that will change. Audrey cares for him but she would rather play with Lorelai's toys. Elliott was born November 12th and weighed in at a hefty 8lbs 8oz. At least it seemed hefty to me - Alex was 6lbs 3oz, Audrey was 6lbs 12oz, and Anaiya was 4lbs 6oz.

Speaking of Alex - he has been complaining that his "bouncing bone" is hurting. I was very confused as I have never heard of such a bone. Come to find out he was talking about his femur bone. Apparently that is called a bouncing bone when you use it to bounce over the arm of the couch despite being told countless times to not do it. I am a little concerned about it but I think it is just growing pains. He is certainly growing tall.

Audrey has developed a very suspect cough. She came up to me last night with a persistent cough. "Are you okay?" I asked. "No, I need med-cine," she replied. "Medicine?" "Yes, I need some coffee for my coughs." Her daddy had just made himself some coffee and let her taste it. She put two and two together and came up with coffee for coughs (not chicken thank you, Randy). Her daddy shouldn't have let her taste it since she pretty much likes any food or beverage. The last thing I need is that girl hopped up on caffeine.

Thanksgiving has come and gone and we have so much to be thankful for. Now we are coming up on Christmas - hooray!!! We had some snow that covered the ground the other day. Alex and Audrey loved it. Alex wouldn't leave the window. I kept hearing "AWESOME!!!" from Alex. A little later I noticed that it had gotten quiet and looked toward the window where the kids were. It was then that I heard Alex say, in a quiet voice, "Jesus - God, thank you so much for this snow. Amen." I was amazed. On top of that, within that same hour Audrey came out of Alex's room yelling for me and telling me that she had found a toy that Alex had been looking for. After she had finished telling me of her most important find she bowed her head and said, "Jesus thanks, thanks for helpin' us find Alex's toy, Amem." My heart melted. We have been trying to teach the kids to be thankful...and they shall know you by your fruit.

Alex is learning to read and doing a great job at it. I love to hear him sound out words. His favorite thing to spell is "LegoLuigi" so there you go. Audrey is learning anything and everything. She and Alex both sing One Way or Another by Blondie and On the Road Again by Willie Nelson when we play GH World Tour. Audrey even has a dance to go along with the song. I am so proud of my kids. I love them so much.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a most blessed New Year.