Esther vs. The Farm Animals

Esther got some farm animals for Christmas this year. She wasn't quite sure what to make of them . . .

ONE Month Old

Isn't she an angel?

Climb every mountain . . .

Look at that singer! (Or is it a yawn?)
They caught me on film!

Today Esther turned ONE month old. The girls decided Esther needed to put on her "Cinderella" dress and do a "photo shoot." We think she looks pretty cute, don't you?

Let's hear it for 30 days!

A Common Site

Esther is a popular girl at our house. You will commonly see all three kids gathered around her. Each one is waiting for their turn to feed her, hold her, or just (as they say in the South), "love on her." I love it!

"E" News

To keep everyone updated, we are going to give our latest "E" News as it comes . . .

Yesterday the judge had a tough time making a decision about E and her family. Judges in MS get 21 days to make a decision about the progress of a child. Our judge decided he wanted those 21 days in order to speak with some attorneys and other individuals. This is a good thing as the judge was thinking about all of the other children, not just E.

For us, this means more prayers for the judge. Please pray that he will be guided in making a wise decision. Also please pray for E's mother. When the social worker visited the home yesterday, the children had no Christmas, lived in squalor, and the Mom was not even present. It just hurts our hearts for all of them, not just E. Pray for her that she will be guided in her decisions, that she will get healthy, and make good choices for all of God's children to whom she is responsible. We want the best for her too.

In the meantime, we will enjoy the clothes (thanks Bente and Mom!) and the wonderful well wishes of friends and family. We will continue to pray (Shae said everyone needs to pray, really, really hard!) and know that we are part of a bigger plan.

This is her 3 week photo. I think she looks bigger already! Doctor's appointment tomorrow. We'll have more vital statistics soon.

Bell Ringers

Twas a few days before Christmas
and we thought it would be swell
to go down to the Kroger
and ring the Salvation Army Bell


So we dressed very warm
(it was less than 30 degrees)
and rang the bell
as loud as we pleased

Bryton, Shae, and Mom
took the first shift
while Emoree, Dad, and Essie
prepared to take over and give us a lift



We sang Christmas songs, we
collected lots of money
we had a great time even though it wasn't sunny

As we sat and talked about it last night
we were happy to think of others
as that made us feel right

To help out our Savior
in this one tiny way
we felt we made an impact
on the world today

So next year we will again ring that red bell
to help out another and feel very well.

NOTE: Shae only lasted about 20 minutes due to the cold weather. But she really toughed it out. Essie of course, did not stand outside with us, but lended moral support in only the way Essie can do it!

The Best Christmas Gift EVER . . .

As many of you know we have been foster parents for quite some time in MS. Things were moving slowly as we kept getting offered 3 or 4 sibilings at a time (which we cannot take according to MS law). Eric and I just knew there was someone out there for our family. Three just wasn't the end...on Tuesday, we got a call that there was a two week old baby for us in Tupelo.

I went down on Wednesday evening and spent the night with the baby in the hospital (MS procedure). We hung out, watched some TV, sang primary songs, and had a wonderful night. Then I brought her home to meet the crew.

The crew is so in love with her it is crazy! Bryton said the other evening that he doesn't need any Christmas presents as he had already received the best gift he could get. He also started crying the other evening as he was holding her saying, "I just love her so much."

On Monday, the judge will meet with the mother. We would ask for your thoughts and prayers for both the judge and the mother. We are so greatful for our time with . . . ESTHER (middle name forthcoming). Right now we are discussing middle names. If you have one, feel free to suggest. In the meantime, she is just Esther (really "Essie," "S," "Button," and "little E") with one name -- like Cher.

She was a premie baby, but is now up to 6.4 pounds (like her cousin I hear)! She has lots of black hair, is about 18.5 inches long, very alert, and a huge blessing.

Thank you all for your love and support of us during this time. We will keep you posted on all that goes on. After all, we couldn't let Brenda, Jodie, and Melissa have all the fun.

Merry Christmas everyone. Although, we have the best gift of all at our house!

A Night in Bethlehem. . .

A few friends of ours from a local church invited us to their Night in Bethlehem event. It was amazing. The church had fully transformed an Armory into Bethlehem. There were Roman soldiers standing at the gates of the city (you had to wait until your family was called to the Census), as well as tax collectors and beggars in the street (cement covered with hay).



The "walls" were painted to look like Bethlehem and there were stations where the children could spend their sheckles (colored rocks) and make things (rope, myrrh, decorative boxes, bread, etc.). Note: The entire event was free.


(Emoree making bread)


(Bryton makes a rope)


(Shae paying her sheckels)

As the children went around to each of these "stations" the workers told them about the baby that had been born in their city. They asked the children if they had seen the baby. They asked the children if they had heard things from the shepherds about the baby that had been born.

As we got to the end of the "street" we saw the small stable where Mary and Joseph and their (real) baby were sitting by a manger. Although their baby was asleep, I must admit I was choked up for a moment. It dawned on both Eric and I that the birth of the Savior didn't happen in the quiet of the evening. It happened in the hustle and bustle of a city. With people talking and whispering about it all the while.

Imagine how tired Mary and Joseph must have been after their emotional trek. How wonderful both of them were, to let strangers see their baby and visit with the newborn king.

This was our family night event, so at the end, Eric and I bore our testimonies of the Savior. Spontaneously, two of the kids bore their sweet testimonies. It was amazing to hear and to feel the sweetness of the Spirit.


It made me think, this is what Christmas is truly all about.

Singing with the Seniors

Our ward primary went singing at a local nursing home last week. Eric was the Primary Chorister and did an amazing job! Of course the kids all sang beautfully too!

Emoree's Band Concert

We went to Emoree's Band Concert last night. It was lovingly called, Christmas on the Hill. We were packed like sardines in her school gymnasium (it reminded me of the old Tabernacle on Temple Square. Did any of you ever do that?). When things got going we had a great time.

Emoree plays the bassoon in her band and did an awesome job. She also performed in the Christmas Wrap Rap (yep, Emoree rapped). It was a classic!

Now a game for you. Think back to the days of Where's Waldo? Can you find Emoree in the band picture below? (FYI - this is only half the band so I am making it easy on you).

I've also included a video clip so you can hear the band in action (please forgive the horrible video skills). Enjoy!



That's our bassoonist! Isn't she beautiful?

The Twins

I bought the girls the same t-shirt for Christmas. One morning before school, they decided they wanted to dress the same. So from head to toe (shirts, pants, socks, even down to both wearing a watch) they matched. I am not sure if this will ever happen again so I am posting this for posterity. I love my little twins!!

Thanksgiving and Family

This Thanksgiving Eric's Mom (Grandma H.), brother Adrian, wife Jodie, and their two boys, Peter and Clark made the trip to MS. We had a great time. We made friends with the boys. . .

Played some games . . .

The croquet game got a bit out of hand . . . as Uncle Adrian soon discovered.

Went to the Noxubee Refuge looking for . . . gator!

And got a bit silly! We had a blast and we cannot wait for them to come again!