Merry Christmas 2011

Christmas has been here and gone. This year I took a little vacation to visit with my parents – as opposed to last year when I was laid up with an injury for months. I decided I would start on a new design for the site today and make a post. I found this clean theme and have started to hack around the code to make it a bit more personal. We had a great Christmas. 

The kids were really excited and surprised this year. Keagan was knocked off her socks when she got an iPhone 4 to replace her crappy Samsung so called smart phone. Then on Christmas day, she woke up to find an iPad2 for her. She is still riding the high. I love it that my kids like Apple products, but they’ll have stick with this model for a couple years I’m afraid. LOL She also got some new boots, jeans, a scarf, a couple designer bags that she wanted, etc.

Kaden was dead set on getting an iPad and some Fairytale books. He told Jace he wanted a bookcase/shelf, and iPad, and Fairytales. Well, Christmas eve he received a lot of books, a new football, Nike’s, PJ’s, and a robe that he is in love with. He put on some new PJ’s, his robe, and retired to his office with his books – only to pop out when he needed some food or drink. LOL Christmas morning he came down stairs to inspect his stocking. He was doing a quick inventory when he realized he did not get his requests fulfilled. “…under wear and socks are stupid … I did not get any fairytales” he said in a sad, depressed little voice. Then he was directed to look behind the cushion on the couch where he spotted an iPad2 and a case for it. We convinced him he could get all the stories he wanted on the iPad since he received several iTunes cards. Within hours he had several stories on it. “Three little pigs”, “Billy Goats Gruff”, the Bible, and a series of stories on American history and the Presidents. The boy loves to read and hear stories.

Kaden actually found his iPad2 first – Keagan had a little bit of a depressed look on her face because she figured since she had received an iPhone4, that was all she was getting. She said “that’s cool Bubba you got an iPad2”. She was a real trooper at understanding she might not get one. Then Jace told her to check behind her cushion. She almost jumped off the couch. She really was happy then!

Jace got a new iPhone 4S, and a Kurig coffee maker she had been wanting – along with the Bath and Body Works soaps, lotions, and sprays. She also pulled a fast one on me. I am needing to make a purchase soon that will cost a fair amount of money. So I asked that she just give me what ever she was going to spend on me. She does not like to give money, she likes to buy gifts. In an attempt to teach me a lesson, she got $1’s, $10’s, $20’s, $100’s, and rolls of quarters. Wrapped them in about 15 individual small boxes and laughed the entire time I was opening them. I had no idea what she had gotten me. I thought it was a small ratchet set or something. LOL

We received many other gifts from folks too, and were very thankful. I think the best part of our Christmas was to have her mom over from the assisted living home, and her Grandpa J.D. came up for a couple nights. We all got to visit and have some good times. My parents are on there way out, and we have a little surprise for them too. It is from all their kids, and it has a little bit of Jace’s humor mixed into it.

At supper, Kaden wanted to say the prayer this time, we obliged. He said “Dear Lord Jesus” then a short pause that made me look up at him, ” then he said “Amen”. We asked him to thank God for a few things please. He folded his little hands, took in a deep breath and belted out his thanks for the food, house, and family, then a quick Amen. It is nice to see then innocence of kids. To often we get wrapped up in day to day messes we overlook it. Seeing Keagan and Kaden this Christmas was different. I saw a lot of appreciation, and thankfulness in them both. Even though Kaden can still be upset at his stocking – his sister told him some kids don’t even have socks. I am also getting to see Keagan mature in Christ and in general. Really thankful God has put these kids in my life.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and I pray your new year will be blessed. Here are a few snapshots. Also, check out the video (it is on the right side) if you double click it, it will open in YouTube which will show it bigger.