Christmas Play 2009

Once again, our three older girls participated in the CRPC Christmas play. Miriam reprised her angel role. Emma was a townsperson who was also well-versed in biblical prophecy regarding the coming of the Messiah, called before Herod to testify. And Jane was also a townsperson with a solo to sing: Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor. Another good show, somehow pulled together by the combined gifts of the George family, for whom we are so grateful.

A Few More December 2008 Memories Before We Close This Month

Bill turns 40--just 9 days after Rebecca!

Jane makes his cake (with a little help from Mom).

A visit to the Grove Park Inn...

...complete with award-winning gingerbread houses on display.






Scenes from our visit to SC, to see...

Waiting for the word "go!"

A great gift from Uncle Kevin and Aunt Sumer.

Miriam catches her first fish.


...Grandmama, Granddaddy, Uncle Kevin and Aunt Sumer, Great-Grandmama, Uncle Sammy and Aunt Lillian, and Tina Franklin and Patti.



A Christmas tap dance.

"The Griswalds'" house next door. Our den window is just in line with their well-lighted roofline. "Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you keep us up tonight...!" The kids loved it.

Jack O'Brien makes his entrance.

The girls all surround him. A foreshadowing of days to come?

Mom Cathy is THE best-looking 5-days post-partum woman I've ever seen.

Jack and Jill.

Christmas Eve making sugar-cookie men.

An-tiss-ih-pay-yay-shun!

A visit from Mee-Maw.

The American Girl dolls are the best dressed among us. A beautiful two-piece outfit Mayron found at a craft fair in Virginia.


Christmas morning scene at our house while the children are nestled all snug in their beds.

Competition heats up.

Collin and Melissa celebrate their first anniversary.

Jill really loves her bath. She can't wait...literally can not wait...for the next one.

Happy Christmas to All!

The Stars of The Emma, Jane, Miriam, and Jill Show

This year raced to an end much faster than we anticipated. In the midst of school, work, deadlines, birthdays, book manuscripts, anniversaries, and saying goodbye to several dear individuals, we've hardly had time to reflect on the upcoming holiday at all.

But that's one of the most amazing things about grace: the ability for the forgiven to rush into the presence of God. The preparations have already been done on our behalf.

Here's my favorite Christmas passage:

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven above and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

--Philippians 2:1-11

Here we all are, ready to celebrate. I love this picture of Miriam. It catches her personality so very completely. A special thanks to Julie Preuninger and Lerenda Walton for helping us get these pictures!

Merry Christmas, everyone!