This year, instead of exchanging Christmas gifts, the adults decided to do something a little more "memorable." We made a stepping stone for Papa's walkway to his shop. Inside the stepping stone we each placed a rock with our name and a Scripture verse that had significant meaning for us this year. Before placing our rocks in the concrete, we spent some time sharing with each other about God's goodness to us all over the past year. There have certainly been a lot of trials endured during 2008, but it is amazing to see God's faithfulness even through the most difficult times. It was a blessing to have everyone share about God's graciousness in their life.
These 5 little ones are a blessing to us all!
Ashlyn, Micah, Jasmine, Josiah and Joshua
Joshua checking out his stone
Ashlyn had fun playing with measuring spoons
Crazy cousins!
Our babies are getting big ~ Ashlyn at 9 months and Joshua at 7 months!
When it was Bobby and Joy's time to share they surprised us with an annoucement that they have another "arrow in the quiver."
Psalm 127:3-5
"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them..."
Baby Truax even got a rock in the stepping stone
And I surprised my Dad with a book commemorating his 26 years at Micron. With the help of a former colleague, I received several letters recounting memorable moments and sending well-wishes from people he worked with throughout the course of his career at Micron. (Thanks for the help Brenda!) What a blessing to recount God's faithfulnes to our family as we reflected on the job that brought our family to Idaho so many years ago, and the many friends and memories that have been made along the way.
Side note: In mid-January my Dad was hired by a company in Washington and starts working tomorrow. We praise God for His faithfulness to provide a new job that he is very excited about! Thanks for your prayers for my parents as they waited on the Lord for this job. And we continue to covet your prayers as they make decisions in regards to their home and moving.
After everyone shared, it was time to place our rocks. Here are the kids showing off their own rocks...
Micah chose Micah 6:8 as his verse
Josiah picked Ephesians 6:1
Jasmine's parents picked Psalm 127:3 for her
(And so did Joshua ~ I just don't have a picture of him with his rock)
For Ashlyn we picked Psalm 139:13-14
Here's our completed stone! What a great way to remember what God did in our lives this past year! Thanks for the wonderful idea Bonnie!
Although the snow melted the week after Christmas, it snowed again a few days before we left so Micah and I finally got a chance to build our snowman. He didn't last long though; within a few hours he had already fallen over because he was starting to melt.
After Daddy shoveled the driveway, Micah and I made a tunnel through the pile of snow
We spent one afternoon over at Jasmine's house to see her new kitchen that she got for Christmas...
She was the perfect hostess!
Papa and Ashlyn
Micah and Papa ~ Micah was excited that they both had flannel shirts!
Playing games with Grandma Sue
And puzzles too! Games and puzzles are two of Micah's favorite things!
Lovin' on Grandma!
Dad and Barb with the book I made him
And then it was off to the airport to return home. We had a wonderful time in Idaho visiting with all our family there. We miss you all so much! Now it's your turn to come visit us!
Thankfully much of the air travel had slowed down by the time we flew so the airport wasn't too crowded.
The kids did great on the plane. Micah loves the take-off and landing! Daddy and Mama love that the trip only takes 2 1/2 hours, instead of 13 hours!
Josiah wanted to try riding on his Mommy's back
