Our Christmas

Creation Museum Lights

Lights

Wiseman's Camel

Wiseman

Wiseman

Mary and Joseph

Opening Gifts at In-laws

Joshua opening Grandpa and Grandma Baker's Gift

Grandpa Baker Cutting Joshua's Hair

McKenna and Dawson Opening Gifts at Mom and Dad's house

Nathan Helping Joshua Play with one of His New Gifts

Evangelyn Opening Her Gifts on Christmas Morning

Christianna Opening Her Gifts on Christmas Morning

Joshua Waiting to Open his Gifts

The past couple of weeks have been very busy, as it is with most people this time of year.  The busyness has been very fun, though.  I don't care to be bored by any means!  It seems since Christianna's birthday, we have been going non-stop.  Christmas morning we opened our gifts to one another and then spent the rest of the day at my parent's house.  Sheldon, by brother, and Erin (his wife), McKenna and Dawson (their children) were all there to celebrate the day also.  Yesterday, we traveled to New Richmond, Ohio to have Christmas with my in-laws.  After opening gifts, and a haircut (Grandpa Baker gave Joshua a much-needed cut), my in-laws took us all out to eat!  This is no cheap affair with a family of six, and all considered adults except one!   To add to the excitement of the day, we visited the Live Nativity at the Creation Museum near Cincinnati.  We had a nice time!   

Happy Birthday, Christianna!

14 months old

10 years old

4 years old

It doesn't seem all that long ago when James and I were so very thrilled with the birth of our firstborn!  We were awed by the beauty of this fragile little one God had given us to raise.  She was so small it seemed, weighing only six pounds and 7 ounces, being born almost a whole month early.  We did not expect a child until the middle of January, but God knew best, and sent Christianna Joy to us just five days before Christmas!  What an awesome Christmas present she was, with her perfect little body, and beautiful complexion!  December 20, 1990 will be a day I will never forget!  This was the first day James and I could be called "Mom and Dad"!  What a privilege and honor, but what a responsibility!  The evening before, Bro. and Sis. Earl Newton, our conference president and wife of the Bible Methodist Church of Tennessee, had visited our church for Prayermeeting there in Gwynn's Island, Virginia.  Afterward the Newtons came by our home to visit.  After sharing with one another for a little while, everyone stood to pray, that is, everyone but me, for you see, my water broke.  I did not know what to do or say, but they soon realized that a birth was going to take place soon!  After a phone call to the doctor, we were on our way to Williamsburg Community Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia, a 45 minute ride away.  No worry though, after a very difficult labor, Christianna was finally born the following day at 1:43 in the afternoon.  Christianna has been a blessing to us in many ways, and we are very proud of her!  She just completed her first semester at God's Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio and is enjoying it there very much.  We are thankful she is serving the Lord and we pray she will always put Him first in her life.  Happy 19th Birthday, Christianna!!   (Sorry about the mixed-up picture order and the quality of the pictures, but I could not get it to work right.)

3 months old

1 day old

18 years old

CROUP!

We took Joshua to Urgent Care this evening, and I'm so glad we did!  When he woke up from his afternoon nap, he definitely was not feeling well.  We thought a visit to the doctor would be in order.  After much crying and coughing throughout the entire visit, the doctor informed us that he has Croup, which is viral (which I did not know).  He prescribed a steriod, with additional instructions of how to treat the terrible cough attacks.  He said he should be feeling better by morning, but not to expect this to be over with for a few days.  :(  So, I guess we're home for the weekend.  No Christmas shopping for us!  :(  I was looking forward to a little time out tomorrow, but I don't see that happening.  I just hope my little guy will be on the mend soon.  Pray for him if you think of it.  It would be much appreciated.

Sick

Joshua gave me a big scare during the night last night!  He woke up gasping for breath, coughing, gagging, and vomiting.  His head felt so hot, I immediately knew he had a fever.  He could hardly talk due to his condition, but kept saying, "hurts, hurts".  I assumed his chest was what was hurting, since his breathing was so terribly loud and labored.  I was so nervous and was praying that God would quickly touch him, for I didn't want to visit the Emergency Room.  I hate going there, with all of the germs floating around, and the long wait that it usually entails.  So, with Vaporizer going, Ibuprofen, and books galore we made it through the night.  After many hours, he finally fell back to sleep around 6:30 this morning.  What a night, especially since he awoke around 1:30 a.m.!  Needless to say, I'm quite exhausted today, but am thankful Joshua seems to be doing a little better.  He has had no fever, ate a good lunch, and is quite ambitious.  His breathing is still labored and sounds like he could use a breathing treatment.  I've called the doctor, but cannot get him in today.  The office that takes the Pediatrician's overflow are also booked up today, and tomorrow.  So ... what to do?  I DON'T WANT TO TAKE HIM TO THE ER (unless I definitely have to.).  I'm considering Quick Care, but really don't like those places, but that may just be where we end up later today.  So, on goes the life of a mother and sick child....!  Actually, while awake during the night, really got me to thinking.  There are many, many sick children in our world, much more sick than Joshua has ever been, and to think what their parents must go through.  I cannot imagine!  Lord, help me show more compassion upon those who are suffering, and help me be more thankful for each day you allow us  the privilege of having a healthy family!

Christmas Activities

For the past few years we have been attending the annual Christmas program at God's Bible School and College in Cincinnati, Ohio, our alma mater.  This year was no exception, as we made our way there Friday afternoon.  This time both of our parents wanted to attend due to Christianna participating in the choir during the program.  My parents rode along with us, and my in-laws ended up not coming because of ill health.  Since we arrived a few hours early, we were able to pick Christianna up from G.B.S. and visit Krohn's Conservatory.  This is a beautiful place, with free admission, by the way, that I love to visit especially at Christmas time.  After a McDonald's visit, we headed to God's Bible School to await the program.  It is difficult waiting in seats 45 minutes with a two year old before it begins, and then keeping him quiet and still for another two and a half hours!  Despite the difficulty with Joshua, we had an enjoyable evening watching the program.  It was very very good, and brought out many things about the birth of our Lord I have never really thought about.  Thank you G.B.S. for an awesome performance!  I love it, and am glad we live close enough to visit every year.

Preparing for the Season

I regret not taking any pictures of our family Thanksgiving get-together.  The day, of course, was very busy, so with all the excitement and busyness, I failed to take any pictures.  I now wish I would have.  Sheldon, his five children, and my parents all came for dinner, and stayed for a while chatting and playing games together.  After everyone

left Thanksgiving evening, Nathan and Evangelyn immediately began taking down all my Fall decorations, and putting up Christmas decor.  They really enjoy decorating while I don't enjoy it near as much as I used to.  I guess I'm getting old.  Well, four days later, we are still decorating.  The trees are up, but some of the other decorating is not complete.  Mom is supposed to do the rest!  I hope to finish up within the next day or two.  It is VERY difficult to get much accomplished with the "help" of a two year old!  Whew!  It seems the minute I think I have everything in place, he's busy moving it somewhere else!  Oh, well, I'll look back on these days in a few years, and wish he were this age again.  May each of you enjoy these few weeks before Christmas, and remember the real reason of the season:  Jesus!