A Wonderful Christmas

What a "blessed" Christmastime we had!! All our kids (Josh, Erika, Andy, Carman, Rachel & Derek) were with us from Friday, December 21 thru Christmas day. It was the longest and most relaxing Christmas visit we have had in many years. We ate, played games, ate some more, had a fun visit with Randy Blaine, watched football, worshipped together on Sunday, took a family picture Sunday afternoon which I'll talk more about in a separate blog, enjoyed a great visit Sunday evening with Brian, Kellye & Addison Smith, ate some more, played some more games, open gifts and just enjoyed each other!! The next blog shows some pictures of the weekend here in Red Oak.

On Christmas day, Rachel, Derek and Carman all flew from Dallas to Little Rock. Carman flew into LR in order to spend some time with her Mom, sisters and grandparents in the Benton/Glenrose area. Josh & Erika drove home to Springdale. Andy accompanied Jeff & I to Kansas to visit our Moms/his grandma's. Andy, Jeff & I had Christmas with his Mom on Wednesday evening.

Andy, Mom, and I then left Kansas and drove to NW Arkansas Thursday morning. We took Andy home, then Mom and I went to the lakehouse. Kaye & Rob and Jeff all joined us later that evening. Jeff, Mom, Kaye & I looked at a few houses to rent on Friday morning and chose the first one we looked at. It is located in Rogers about 2 miles from Andy and 6-8 miles from Josh.

Friday evening, more of the family started arriving......Mike, Shannan and Madyson; Mike, Adrienne and Lincoln; and Rachel & Derek. Then Saturday, the rest of the family arrived: Bev, Don, Shawna & Nathan, Matt & Kristin, Andy & Carman and Josh & Erika (and her sister, Susan, for the evening). It was such a SPECIAL treat to have all our family together......perhaps for a very long time as Shawna and Nathan will be leaving in the Spring to go overseas for mission work.

We all enjoyed our two "little" ones -- Madyson and Lincoln. Both were so very good all weekend!

This is Kaye & Rob, Mom, Mike, Adrienne and Lincoln and Matt & Kristin (who are getting married August 9, 2008!!)

This is Bev and Don, Mike, Shannan and Madyson (baby Zachary is due in March) and Shawna and Nathan and Mom

And this is our family in the foyer at Pinnacle Hills Baptist Church in Rogers. All the family (23 of us) attended worship at Pinnacle Hills on Dec. 30th. We really enjoyed the service as Pastor Ronnie Floyd and his son, Nick, both brought the message that morning.

We did find a home to lease in Rogers while we were visiting this past weekend. Once we get moved, I'll include our new address and email on this blog so you can keep in touch with us!

Thankfully, everyone had safe travels home. A big thank you to Mom for providing the food and meals for the weekend and for the Christmas money and to Kaye & Rob for allowing us to use the lakehouses.

A new year is now ahead for all of us........we pray we each will be found faithful in service and obedience to our Lord!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!