Holiday fun!

I guess there's no time like the holidays to pick back up with blogging, huh? There will be plenty to write about, that's for sure!

We certainly have started off our break from school with a bang! Rebecca planned and hosted a Christmas Sleepover for 8 of her friends. (yes, I am crazy!) They played games, ate, listened to music, ate, played hide and seek in the dark, ate, and finally went to sleep about halfway through the night (after a game of hide-and-seek at 2am!). They were up by 8:30am and ready to go again! Zach was the smart one and found refuge at Nana's house. Here are some pictures from the party...

Of course there was volleyball!

Rebecca found these cute snowman cupcakes to make (not as easy as you might think!)

These Christmas Tree Treats are made like Rice Crispy Treats

Pizza makes everyone happy!

They played Christmas Pictionary - can you guess this one?

This game is called Hedbandz and you ask yes/no questions to try to guess what your card is. Lots of fun!

Since we have some time off, we scheduled some doctor's appointments. Zach had a cleaning at the dentist. He did great except for the xrays --- those awful bitewings kept making him gag! He has always been very "gaggy" anyway. They tried putting a pinch of salt on his tongue to keep him from gagging (I've never heard of that!) and they were able to get one side done but not the other.

Rebecca had to have some cavities filled :(  They used nitrous oxide on here and she was sooooo goofy! At one point, she said in a very nasally voice (because she had the "clown nose" thing on) "I can't find my hands!". Apparently, she couldn't feel her hands - she asked her daddy if he had them! She was so funny!

Then, today, Zach had his cardiology checkup with Dr. R. It's been 6 months since he's been seen and honestly, I was very anxious. You just never know when you are going to have a curve ball thrown your way when you are dealing with CHD. We weren't really seeing anything of concern with Zach except that he has seemed more tired lately - he has been falling asleep in the car after school a lot and that is not like him. He fights sleep. Anyway, we are praising the Lord because his checkup went wonderfully!!! He weighs 39.4 lbs, he is 41 inches tall, his bp and EKG were good, his pulse ox was 98 (yay!!!) and Dr. R. said his echo looks great. He didn't even have any leakage today! His meds are all staying the same (1 baby aspirin and 4 ml Enalipril 2xday) and we go back in 6 months.

So, for the rest of the week, we are spending time with friends and family and looking forward to Christmas day. Zach's nightly devotions started in on the Christmas story tonight. It is amazing to think about all that was happening at this time of year for Mary and Joseph. I'm sure Mary was miserable, being that she was 5 days away from giving birth. I'm sure she was excited, too. What do you suppose she was thinking? I bet she was scared to death! Being a first-time mother is nerve-wracking enough but to be the mother of the Son of God? Whoa! I wonder if the angel had to keep reminding her not to be afraid? I wonder if she questioned God about whether she was ready for this or not. I just pray that I can be a faithful servant like she was, that I can find favor with God and fulfill his will.

May you find joy and peace as you worship the Baby in the manger this Christmas.