December 16

Our annual Christmas dinner at Redeemer was tonight. Though we rehearsed this afternoon a Christmas song that's familiar to him, Hamilton chickened out when it came time to practice singing into a microphone on stage before the party started. He said he didn't want to sing his song in the entertainment portion of the night, so I didn't push it. He sings so sweetly at home; I was sad not to share his voice. But with all the kids on stage later in the night, he did enjoy singing "This Little Light of Mine" with his church friends. Here's a video of the last verse.

My Attention

I'm sorry to have been so scattered with blogging lately. I've been spending all my computer time and focusing all my attention on our church's new website. It's coming along nicely, but it was a crazy two weeks after we went live.

Now our beloved church is in such a struggle to stay in our historic, beautiful, downtown buildings. So I've been spending lots of time writing website copy, Facebook copy, and other documents in our struggle to remain on Wentworth Street. Here's a synopsis of our plight.

I hope we'll get a resolution soon, so I can go back to blogging when I have time to sit at the computer!

Our Birthday Boy

Yesterday our baby turned one! I've decided we can't call him "Baby" or "Baby C" anymore, since he's not a baby--and who wants that nickname anyway? Our Saturday was ordinary, but the boys did enjoy week-old birthday cake after dinner. Most of our celebrating was done last weekend when our families were in town for Collier's baptism. Of course he wore the same gown that Hamilton wore.

We shared the day with another family at church who were having their little guy baptized, too.

How special and sweet it was to have our church family praying for Collier.

Pastor Craig walked Collier up and down the aisle for the church family to get a better look.

Our families joined us for Sunday lunch, though we saved birthday cake and ice cream for after the boys' naps.

We created a cow cake for Collier using this idea.

Collier loved the ice cream and cake; I'm sure he cried when they were gone. He usually does.

The birthday boy was covered in chocolate icing.

After the sweets, Hamilton helped open Collier's gifts. Collier loved walking behind this brightly colored, wheeled toy.

Last night the boys and I had a small celebration with Hamilton's singing "Happy Birfanks" to Collier. (Mr. Morgan was driving back from a men's retreat in Atlanta; he arrived at bedtime for hugs and kisses.)

Both boys wanted more cake than they were given--even after I gave a not-normal second helping, so I could take pictures.

Hamilton's singing is hard to hear on this video unless your volume is loud. But "birfanks" is what he's singing with an "Amen" at the end. And I love how Collier is so good and quick at eating--especially delicious birthday cake!

December 24

After our Christmas Eve service tonight, I corralled the kids for a picture. Getting Hamilton to keep still long enough is nearly impossible, but the expressions from the other two were so sweet. And I imagine Collier's tugging on Hamilton's shirt to say, "Come on, Hammie, act right for the picture."

December 18

Our church's annual Christmas dinner and talent show was tonight. I have pictures and videos to post from Hamilton's and Claire's performances later, but I love this picture of Hamilton's little friend West. As the crowd listened to a bagpipe performance, West showed his feelings for the sound with his fingers firmly planted in his ears.

December 6

I've been snapping pictures for our church's website, and last Sunday I caught this little guy not singing along with the other kids. He couldn't help himself from turning around to find the camera.

December 5

Strand after strand of these colorful beads decorates our church and the necks of our women. Ugandan women hand-make these beads from rolled-up paper, though they used to break rocks in a quarry for 30 cents a day before they were invited to a Bible study by a pastor's wife and taught this beautiful craft. Our missions team to Uganda brought back tons after their last trip hoping we could help these women. Our church and community has given so sacrificially to these women that we've sent back to Uganda nearly $20,000 in donations.

RPC's Christmas Party

For our church's annual Christmas party, the school-age kids gave a special performance that involved singing, dancing, and costumes. Claire was so excited to participate. She had a speaking part, and she danced with all the girls during Silent Night, Holy Night.

The kids all did so well, and the Archers (RPC's "actors-in-residence") entertained us with the humorous play they'd written especially for our kids, which displayed our kids' many talents.

Claire played one verse of Away in a Manger by herself; then she accompanied the kids for a second verse. She practiced so hard over the last few weeks, and we were so proud of how well she played.

The sheep in the play were the cutest, especially Leigh who wore white socks on her pigtails for her sheep's ears.

Claire (far left) was a sweet angel in the heavenly host that praised God saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."