December 12 = Gramps Day!

Gramps got in last night- both kids were still awake to his delight.  Here Liam is playing with Gramps' phone.  He's spoiled!

We had a pretty low key day- Zachary had duty yesterday so we were expecting him to get home this morning around 8 or so but he didn't get home until after 9:30 because the person taking his spot overslept.  So we tried to let Zachary get some rest- he didn't go to bed until 1:00am and then had to wake up before 4:00am to get the mids on the bus for the Army v. Navy game (which Navy won!).  So we went grocery shopping and went for a walk to give him quiet in the house.  Daisy didn't cooperate though so he didn't get a lot of sleep- oops.  But we watched that game and also the Carolina game- which didn't end in our favor.  But it was a fun day- any day that the kids get to hang out with their Gramps is a good day for them!

December 11 = Trials and Testing

That's the only picture I took today but I do have a little message I'd like to share. The church we used to go to, Bay Area Community Church, did this really neat thing where they sent everyone whose email address they had a link to register with RightNow Media.  This website has tons of videos that you would show in a Sunday school class- the church we went to in Jacksonville used this site.  So I've been checking out some of the videos.  I started a series by Francis Chan today in James and I just had to share this little tidbit of info.  The book of James has a special place in our family's heart because it was what we relied on to get through Liam's seizures. In chapter 1, James says "Count it all joy my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."  So Franis Chan informed me this morning through his video that the word James uses that we translate as "testing" is the same word used when you talk about silversmiths "testing" silver to make sure it's pure.  Silver is put through fire which we could compare to trials that we as humans go through.  It's put in fire over and over again until it's found to be pure.  The way a silversmith determines the silver is pure is when he can see his reflection in it.  So our goal when God allows us to endure trials (which we should count as joy), is to have God see his reflection in us in how we deal with said trial.  I just thought this was so interesting and so helpful for me to keep in mind!

December 10 = New Bed for Daisy Day

Malia and I took Daisy to the vet for the first time today!  She had a check up and the vet said she would be a minimum of fifty pounds!  We had to wait around for her parasite test results to make sure we didn't need to get her some medicine (whew) and so while we were waiting, I picked her out a bed!  I decided to get a big one so it'll fit her growing self.

Malia decided it was hers.

Oh!  And then, Malia turned into my little helper.  I was putting things away and in the middle of walking from one room to another over and over again, I looked over at Malia and she had gathered some toys and walked them over to the toy box.  Such a sweet girl!

And the last picture of today's post.  We got Liam's CDC pictures back today... Oh Liam.

December 9 = Daisy Claims the Tunnel Day

Not a lot went on today but I had to share this picture of Daisy taking over the Ninja Turtle fort that's in Liam's room.

December 5 = "Christmas Tree" Day

First here's a picture of a majority of my family sitting together:

And then for the highlight of Malia's day.  I made this Christmas tree out of felt and cut out some colored circles, also from felt, to give Liam and Malia a Christmas tree that they can decorate.  We aren't getting a Christmas tree this year because we have no room after moving up all of our furniture from downstairs after the washing machine flood and because the only space we might have been able to squeeze a tree in is now occupied by a dog crate.  Liam isn't crazy about the tree but Malia loves it!

December 4 = 7th Company Christmas Party

Zachary's company had their Christmas party tonight.  We were going to get a babysitter but we figured we'd bring the kiddos along instead.  They were really well behaved and had a good time- I have a picture illustrating how Liam passed the time to follow.  But first I got Zachary to take a picture of me and my girl before we left.  The attire for the party was ugly sweater- I don't have an "ugly sweater" so I wore my grandmother's Christmas vest.  I love this thing and I get so excited when it's time to bring it out- this was the perfect occasion to wear it- I got lots of compliments!

One of the highlights of the party was the reading of some "Dear Santa" letters.  There's been a box outside of Zachary's office for a few weeks, I think, where anyone could write an anonymous "Dear Santa" letter and most of them were used to poke fun of classmates.  I didn't understand any of them as I don't know the inside jokes they all have but Zachary found humor in them and Malia clapped along!

Malia's favorite thing to do, however, was to weave in and out of all the round tables in the room.  She just walked and walked and walked and I just followed her to make sure she didn't walk right out of the room.  She had so much fun smiling at everyone.  Lots of people tried to get high fives from her but she hasn't mastered that skill yet...

And Liam found a door!  This door opened up to an enclosed space where the tables and chairs were stored so he went in and out over and over again for the last- I'm going to say- hour we were there.

December 3 = Basketball Day

So last night Zachary actually didn't have a game because they won on Monday and Tuesday so they got last night off!  So tonight's game was the championship game and I decided it would be fun for us all to go and support him!  Zachary told me there was walking track above the gym so we could go up there and be out of the way and Liam could walk around and be happy.  Well Liam did enjoy the walking track, but he enjoyed it just a bit too much.  Here he grabbed Malia's hand but for the most part, he was running ahead of us and looking back and laughing.  It made me a bit nervous because I felt like I couldn't keep up with both of them at the same time.

So we went to this area right outside the basketball court- they show a movie in a little theater there every Thursday night so they had popcorn out there for whoever wanted any.  Malia liked it.  And then she decided to drop the container and popcorn went everywhere.

So we headed out to the car and I let the kids walk around the van which entertained them for about 45 minutes.  At that point I thought the game must be almost over so I thought we could handle the last few minutes.  I put Malia in the baby carrier and headed in.  Zachary's team was up by a lot so he was on the bench giving some other people a chance to play- he's so good!  So we didn't get to see him play but we did get to see his team win!