Christmas Letter 2012

Counting Our Blessings in 2012

AnnabelleWe are thrilled to be expecting baby #3 (Annabelle Margaret) around the end of January. Evangeline can’t wait until her baby sister is here, and talks to her every night through Mommy’s belly button. Trey is pretty much clueless that he’s going to be a big brother soon; what a surprise he has in store! He has enjoyed being the baby!
Trey- Three words to describe one-and-a-half year old Trey are Daredevil, Entertainer, and Mama’s Boy. He can and will climb anything and loves being swung around in the air upside down by his Daddy. He makes us laugh all the time by trying to balance various objects on his head. He’s funny and he knows it! Trey has an advanced vocabulary for his age, and is even putting together several sentences, most of which involve food, such as, “I need ketchup,” and, “I want candy.” Trey is never too far from his monkey blanket and pacifier, “papi,” and is completely obsessed with fruit snacks. Emily is enjoying the opportunity to be home with him every day.
Evangeline- Almost three year old Evangeline has quite a personality! She is super outgoing, very good with names, and will hug a complete stranger if allowed. She recently adopted her first security objects: a doll named Baby Moses and a stuffed cat she calls Baby Jaguar. She began taking ballet and tap this year and loves practicing her “p.a.’s.” We have “school” at home three days a week, and she enjoys learning her letters and is starting to learn to write her name. She is so excited for Christmas and has asked Santa Claus for three things: a baby doll, a diaper for her baby, and a candy cane. We are having so much fun watching our sweet little girl grow up!
Blue Bell and Edy- Our dog and cat who are so good with the kids (the cat has come a long way!).
Family- Our parents, Drew’s sister’s family, and Drew’s grandparents all live close by. We are thankful to be able to raise our children so close to our family.
Church Family and Ministry Opportunities- What a wonderful church family the Lord has blessed us with! We have been so excited to see the Lord working at First Baptist Marion this past year and a half. Emily is active in the children’s ministry and recently led the children’s choir in a musical called The Tale of Three Trees. Drew, as pastor, is of course always busy with the many opportunities to serve in our church and community.
Fellowship with Friends- Emily attends a weekly Bible Study at a church close by that offers free childcare. What a blessing! She also serves on the steering team for our local Mother’s of Preschoolers (MOPS). Drew enjoys weekly fellowship with local pastors and also plays ping pong once a week with a group of Christian men.
Travel opportunities- We took a family vacation this August to Jackson and Memphis. The Memphis Zoo was a hit, along with Mud Island, Yogi Bear Park, and the Mississippi Braves baseball game. Emily and the kids spent a week in Ft. Myers, Florida with her family in June. In July, Emily and Trey took a trip to Great Falls, Montana for a few days to spend time with close friends.

We are very fortunate, and our blessings endless, but the most important blessing of all

is a personal relationship with our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), whose birthday we celebrate this time of year.