Merry 5th Day of Christmas!!

I know, it feels a little late, but really, it is only the 5th day of Christmas! So, my wishing you a Merry Christmas not off target. Here's hoping that your day was filled with family, laughter, peace and joy. Here's a summary of our Christmas eve and day!

I was finally able to convince Samuel to be a sheep in the Christmas pageant this year. He did a smashing job-- baaa. His preference would have been to play ANY instrument in the band to being a sheep, but on the last song, Joy to the World, he got his wish!! He took his jingle bells out of my purse (he came prepared) and headed straight up to the front. When the band members saw him with his bells, they invited him up with them and lowered the microphone so he could sing. THAT was a Christmas wish come true!! Bummer that I didn't have the camera with me at that moment...

My Grandma (known as GG to S, T and LJ) was able to join us for church and dinner on Christmas Eve. I always feel blessed to be in her soon-to-be 93 year old presence.

LilyJoy likes to get a free ride when she can! GG is always willing to accomodate.

Can you believe that I didn't get ONE picture of our family in our Christmas clothes?? This is the only full shot of LJ in her pretty dress. Easter will be a different story...

Auntie (my sister) and Samuel being silly in their fancy hats.

Dad and Grandma.

There is no more common sight at my parent's house than the one where Bana (my mom) is reading to S and T. I think she read 10 books that night.

New Christmas jammies!!

LilyJoy's jammies have a fancy skirt that goes with it-- LOVE it!!!

Very exited about their Why-flyers from their stockings! This picture cracks me up, though, because of my telltale yawn :)

The guitar from Santa was a very big hit.

This Buzzlightyear wing pack was actually Timothy's Santa present, but he's not big on pictures right now-- Samuel jumps right in!

Good morning, little Dragon Princess! Santa came!

LJ enjoying all her Christmas gifts at once :)

Headed up the path to Bana and Papa's house, of course with Baobei in her stroller!

Steve and Dad have a disgusting tradition of smoking a pipe for about 30 seconds on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, this year was no different.

My sister, Dad and myself with Beano, Timmers and Little Joy.

Things got a little crazy toward the end of the morning after Cardamom bread, scrambled eggs and porkies to delight our bellies. Pictured here is the wrapping paper diving that ensued.

We all had a lovely time!

Finally, Some Movement!

If you're at all keeping track of the immunization issue that I have bookmarked at the top of my blog, you would have noticed that there is at least some movement going on! December 17th is the "date of consideration." I'm not entirely sure what that means, except that at least someone in the judiciary committee is looking at the issue. Here's hoping that they sign this into law quickly and you all who are traveling soon will get some relief from the stress of all those shots for your little ones!

In Memory of the Four

This is going to be a difficult week for the law enforcement community and their families. It is times like this that I wish I weren't counted in that, but the fact is, I am. Seattle and western Washington in particular will be grieving hard because last week we lost 4 brave souls all in one scary, horrific and awful moment. And all of this follows very closely on the heels of a Seattle officer who was killed in the line of duty only a few weeks ago. The memorial for these fallen officers is on Tuesday. I may not have even mentioned it here, except that some wonderful friends we met in China who live alllllllll the way over in New York took the time to email us and express their condolences and concerns upon hearing the news. I was actually quite shocked that the news had made it that far until DH explained to me why it was such big news. These four officers were caught off guard. They were in a coffee shop, enjoying a break, working on paperwork, talking about their Christmas shopping? Who knows. But that is where they were assaulted and killed, like it was just another thing on a to-do list. He was wanted and had served LOTS of time in other states. This is not justice.

I don't know a lot about the situation, mostly for self-preservation. But I do know that every time I hear a Christmas song, I think about those families who lost a member, a sister, a brother, a daughter, a son. I know one had a wife and kids, don't know about the others. I think about that Seattle officer who ended up killing the assaulter. His life will never be the same. None of their lives will.

I'm having difficulty processing this one. I feel so deeply with that wife, possibly wives. I can't imagine how she is doing it, coping. Maybe she is not. I just pray that she has Hope. Please keep these good folks in your prayers this week.

Raise 7 for Matthew

I can't believe I haven't posted about this yet, but I guess better late than never. Back in September, my cousin (technically 2nd cousin) was playing football at a high school football game in Cowiche, WA and was tackled during a play. He did get up, but only moments later he began complaining of numbness and headache. He was rushed to the hospital where they did emergency surgery to relieve the building pressure on his brain, caused by a severe concussion. This was all a very scary time for my family. A few weeks later, though, he made it out of the ICU and headed over the mountains to Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle for rehab. He is still there and recovery is slow. He has had setbacks with infection and pain and rehab is only yet beginning again after a long break.

So, why am I telling you about this? Well, in order to raise awareness of love, support, prayers and financial resources, his team and many others are trying to start a national trend. They want everyone who knows about it to simply raise up their hands in the number 7-- Matthew's jersey number-- every time "your team" scores or does something inspiring! That's it! A pretty easy way to show support to a kid who deserves it. You can also become a fan on facebook by searching "Raise 7 for Matthew" or visit the blog Raise 7 for Matthew. The pictures are pretty inspiring.

One more little note I should add. LilyJoy had an appointment at Children's in October, so my mom and I decided to go visit Matthew and his mom. As you can imagine, his mom seemed pretty worn out. However, she has been at his side for the majority of his time in the hospital (his dad has too, but has to go home during the week to keep up his work-- he's an apple farmer and also works in the business realm of the apple industry). Any prayers you can offer on her behalf would, I'm sure, be a blessing to a weary soul.