A Tad Late

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!! Hope you had a wonderful holiday celebrating the birth of our savior!

Christmas wish.

Hi friends.

I have a prayer request for you- hope you don't mind. I know God hears those who earnestly seek his help and care, and I can't help but selfishly ask for some more prayers on your behalf.

In October, my Dad called to tell me he would be driving through town on the way to see my grandmother. He was going to "stop by" and say hello for a few minutes. I told him Eli and I happened to be free, and we'd love to join him.

I am so glad I went. It's a rare occasion that I get to spend time with my dad alone these days, and for a few days, it was just me, my dad, my 87 year old grandmother, and my baby boy. When I first saw my dad, he looked skinnier than he had in years. He also looked really tired and worried.

As soon as we got to my grandmother's and were sitting down to visit, he told us some stressful news about his work. I knew that wasn't the main topic he wanted to tell us though. After we discussed that issue, he then informed us that he was diagnosed with high-risk stage four cancer in May. He didn't want us to worry, and wasn't even going to tell us if he could have gone through treatment and chemo in Nashville. Instead, he is now in Florida undergoing a clinical trial treatment. He has been there since November 1 and will remain until January.

He is doing well so far, and has had minimal side effects so far. He's rented a beach front condo and is busying himself by reading lots of books and fixing up the condo for his renter. He's replaced blinds and fixed kitchen backsplashes, etc. She's happily knocking his labor off his monthly rent. He's hoping it'll be free by the time he leaves. :)

Would you mind praying for the effectiveness of his treatment, for his health, for his loneliness, and that he uses this time to really grow closer to God and learn to really rely on Jesus during this time? I hate that he'll be all alone for Christmas and I hate that the only thing on his wish list this year is to be free from cancer. Pray with me, friends?

Thank you.

Young children, fresh uncluttered minds, the world before them - to what treasures will you lead them? With that will you furnish their spirit?

Gladys Hunt- Honey For A Child's Heart

Fair came to Town.

The fair came to town. We waited until the very last day and took Eli for his very first East Tennessee fair experience. I hadn't been to one since probably high school, and let me say, it did not disappoint. It was even Latina day at the fair, so we enjoyed hearing hispanic music there too.

There was every kind of meat on a stick and fried food you could imagine. We ate two hot dogs, and were disappointed, so Matthew went back and got himself a giant sausage on a bun. We were pretty satisfied with that. Everyone wants you to play their game, and one guy kept calling out to Matth, "Oh look, it's Mr. Hollywood. Show us what ya got Hollywood." I told Matth he was a little too nicely dressed for the fair.

 They had a petting zoo set up in the middle of the fairground, and Eli was in love. He touched almost every animal, and would stand and stare at the camels when they stood up. He's never seen anything so close up before.

This guy was so mean. Ostrich? Emu? They had sharp beaks and would crane their necks far out and try to peck the food out of your hand. We didn't stop long to visit with them.

Eli was too small for almost every single ride there but two of them. He just made the cut-off for the inches requirement, but was definitely the youngest child on them. Other parents were watching my reactions b/c I was so nervous for my tiny toddler riding alone.

He LOVED the rides. His tiny hiney would slide off the seats, but I told the man to strap him in for dear life, and then I double-checked it to make sure he wasn't going anywhere. It was so much fun to see him having so much fun.

Next, we splurged and let Eli try his first funnel cake. He actually wasn't too impressed, which isn't news to me. He chose lima beans over creamed corn and mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving. He likes to eat healthy, that boy.

I'm working on using our self-timer more. It's nice to have shots of the three of us together every now and then.

Mr. Hollywood enjoying his second lunch at the fair.

I'd say our first fair together was a success. I'm not so sure we'll make it a yearly tradition, but we enjoyed showing Eli part of his redneck roots. :)