We had a very fantastic Christmas morning, day, and evening.  We didn't change out of our Christmas jammies until 5:30 pm, we had to go out into public to visit family so thought we should actually dress for the day. 

Mason loved all of his cars and balls, Melia could barely pull herself away from her Hanna Montana make-up box.  Mat and I enjoyed some rice pudding, broccoli soup, and homemade bread.

Melia really enjoys gymnastics, I love the fact that she is good at something that she loves.  I was so proud of her, not only for the skills she could perform, but because she is so sweet, shy, and loving.  Grandma and Grandpa T, Grandma Galvez, brother Mason, mom and dad were all there.  Melia bought everybody a cold stone ice cream when she was done and was so proud to pay by herself with her own gift cards.

When would I ever have considered a "Sharpie" to be almost as dangerous as a knife when decorating pumpkins? I never thought I would ever find myself saying things like "don't eat the snail", "get the dog's tail out of your mouth", "stop eating your boogers"?  I never imagined I could feel good about sitting in front of the TV  for almost 48 straight hours----granted I was comforting and holding my sick baby boy and that is all he could and would do.  I never imagined I could love my life as much as I do------I haven't competed in a bike race, tennis match, triathlon, volleyball tournament or anything that used to be so much of who I was.  Melia and Mason are absolutely and positively the best of me, how can I be so lucky to be a part of their wonderful little lives?  It almost (ALMOST) makes me want to have another one.

Blake Powell, Lara Ross and ME----we are in the Garden of Gethsemane, need I say more?

I am standing in front of the most famous site in Jordan/ in Petra. I am posing with Donna Colson who is the couple missionary in Northern Jordan, she and her husband picked us up and drove us the 3 hours to Petra, hiked with us 3 hours and drove us 3 hours back to the Amman airport. They were wonderful to us, they provided us water, sun screen, and fabulous company.

This is me and my assembly partner in Jerusalem. We are at the church of the nativity. You can see the woman behind us with the alter behind her. That is the exact spot (supposedly) where Mary gave birth to the baby Jesus. The column on the right is where Joseph and Mary supposedly layed the baby Jesus to sleep in the Manger. This tiny area is where the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenians all share and worship.