Merry Christmas.......

.......in all of the chaos of gifts to be bought, cards to be sent, presents to buy, gifts to wrap, food to make, travels to make, we can all feel overwhelmed this time of year. I'm sitting at my kitchen table right now watching my little girl in her Christmas dress playing with the only ornament she's picked from the tree all season. It's one I pointed out to her to hold for a moment just to take her picture, finally - for Christmas cards. She is so peaceful, so innocent, so precious, so full of light. I just read the following story with tears in my eyes at how easily caught-up we can get this time of year in such trivial aspects of the season. Thank you, God, for reminding me through a friend just what really matters.

A BABY'S HUG


We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, "Hi there." He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes we crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed.

His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. "Hi there, baby; Hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster," the man said to Erik.

My husband and I exchanged looks, "What do we do?" Erik continued to laugh and answer, "Hi, hi there." Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, "Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a- boo? Hey, look, he knows peek-a-boo."

Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.

We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. "Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik," I prayed.

As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's "pick-me-up" position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man's.

Suddenly a very old, smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love relationship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.

I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, "You take care of this baby." Somehow I managed, "I will," from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest unwillingly, longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, "God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift." I said nothing more than a muttered thanks.

With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, "My God, my God, forgive me." I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes.

I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, "Are you willing to share your son for a moment?" when He shared His for all eternity. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, "To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children."

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree......

Thought you might like to see a Ella's Christmas Tree!

Our little girl is growing too fast.....

Miss Ella is certainly into everything these days! She is cruising all over the house! She loves to look out the window and her favorite finds are the TV remote and anyone's cell phone! Anytime she hears the music from Jack's Big Music Show, you can rest assured she will be watching intently! She loves to "fake cough" and play peek-a-boo. Her favorite toys are her little piano (and our big one), and anything else she can clang together to make noise! She enjoys her own cup of cheerios or puffs and shares with Pacey quite often! However, Pacey is not as willing to share and has to run and eat her food out of her bowl anytime Ella gets anywhere near-- hungry or not!! I know that walking is just around the corner!

Best Buddies

Ella starts grinning the moment Sophie and her brother Eli walk in the room! It's giggles galore every time they come to visit!

Make New Friends But Keep The Old....

.....one is silver and the other gold! Aunt Kim came to see us recently and we had a great time! Who knew 25+ years ago that we'd still be best friends! We love her and thank God every day for her! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM!!!

Five Little Pumpkins.........

HALLOWEEN 2007: Better late than never! We had such a great time with family and friends! Dorothy, Belle, The Boxer, The Biker Baby and The Anne Geddes Model (aka Ella, Sophie, Eli, Dax and little Claire) were the cutest we've seen! We had lots of friends trick-or-treat at our house! We were so glad that Aunt Connie got to be with us! Ella is certainly blessed to have such sweet friends, and so are we! We can't wait until next year!

Somewhere Over The Rainbow......

Here's our little Dorothy! Her favorite part was the red sequined "ruby slippers" she wore! She couldn't keep her eyes off of them! Mommy Tot made her precious Dorothy dress. We had a blast celebrating with friends. Ella had a wonderful first Halloween! We'll post more pics soon.

Bows..............

Papa took this picture a couple of weeks ago, and we just had to share! Our little girl is growing up fast! Maybe we do go a little overboard on the bow size... oh well. =)

Ella Brown and The Great Pumpkin......

Ella's first pumkin carving! We decided on a silly face with eyelashes! Ella enjoyed taking the lid off.

4 little pumpkins.....

Ella made her first trip to the pumpkin patch earlier this month! Sophie, Eli and Dax went with us! Mom and Dad made the mistake of going during her nap time, so we didn't get many smiles for pictures, but we still had a ball! We can't wait to go on the hayride next year!

If you're happy and you know it clap your hands!

You turned 9 months old last week, and I can hardly believe how fast you are changing before my eyes! You are the most animated little thing!! You are always smiling, laughing, or talking! You love to clap your hands, you're crawling faster than I can chase you, and you are finally growing the hair you are due! You love Pacey, and she is finally trying to play with you! You absolutely LOVE to be sung to. My heart melts every time you pat me on the back when I'm holding you or when you do that little head tilt to the side and grin. Needless to say, your Daddy and I have been wrapped since the first moment we saw you! We are constantly happy, and we know it! (insert applause)