It is the night of our Dear Savior's birth (well, it was)

The annual first-night-of-Encounter chicken fingers.

Someone got their little mouth on this before I took it away.

So close!

 

I'm pushing 30 Christmas Conferences/Winter Conferences/Encounters over the years, and I'm experiencing a part of the conference I've never experienced before- nap time. It's an interesting feeling knowing that there's so much work/fun going on out there in this hotel, and I'm sitting in a quiet, dark room. But I love Samuel and he loves his naps, so I can live with it. I guess it means I have time to write some thank-you's and an update for all my many blog fans.

 Patrick and I started talking months ago about how we wanted to talk about Christmas with Samuel over the next few years. I think so many kids know that Christmas is about Jesus, but the real excitement is over everything else (actually, I'm pretty guilty of that myself, if I admit it). We really want Christmas to be about Jesus in our home. I know that starts with us and where our hearts really are, but I wanted some fun ideas from people more creative than me. I talked with the children’s coordinator at our church (I am sooo thankful for Zina for many reasons!), and she gave me some great ideas/resources.

 One was this interview with Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales. He recently made a movie called “Buck Denver Asks, ‘Why Do We Call It Christmas?’” I still haven’t seen the movie, but he talked in the interview about how Christmas has gotten to where it is today and how he talks with his own kids about Christmas and Santa Claus. I love his ideas! Definitely worth listening to.

 Zina also gave me an article about a special way to do gifts with children.  3 gifts for each child in light of the gifts given to Jesus, the gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Side benefit- I can now spell frankincense and myrrh.) Because gold was so valuable in the days Jesus was born (well, still is I suppose), the first is a gift that will be very valuable to your child- maybe something they’ve really been wanting or something a little more expensive. And wrap it all in beautiful gold paper and bows. Frankincense was burned in the Old Testament days in the temple, where God’s people went to meet with Him. So the second gift is something your child uses to meet with God- a Bible, a journal, music. And it’s wrapped all in white (I think that’s what color frankincense is? Oh, I’m learning so much. I believe it’s resin from a tree.) And myrrh was used to anoint bodies for burial. Have to get a little more creative there. The article suggested something your child could use on their body- lotions or perfume or something. And this one is wrapped in earth tones. We went a different direction on that one though. We’ve decided on a mercy gift instead- either some kind of donation or gift to someone in need.

 So here are Samuel’s 3 Christmas gifts

 

Diapers- now, those are very valuable to Samuel right now!

Fisher Price Little People nativity set

A Caregiver Kit for someone caring for the needs of people affected

by the AIDS crisis in Africa through World Vision.

 

(Caleb was teaching Sam all about the nativity)

 

 Last year we had just found out I was pregnant and we chose a New Mother/Baby Kit through World Vision in honor of our little baby. I’m excited to see over the years the things God will put on Samuel’s heart and to begin choosing mercy gifts based on what he loves and cares about.

 This really may have been my favorite Christmas ever. Patrick and I talked so much about each gift we gave that each one felt really meaningful, not like we were just buying something to cross off the list. And the Advent readings that we enjoyed together all month brought the anticipation of Christmas in my heart closer to where I want it to be- waiting for the day we would read about the little baby finally entering the world in Bethlehem!

 

 

 

He's not talking yet

I didn't think much of it at the time, but earlier this afternoon Samuel really surprised me. I've been enjoying watching him interact more with people and toys and the world around him.

(Sidenote: today at the grocery store, Samuel said "hi" to a woman walking by. She was so amazed and said, "Wow, he's talking at such a young age! What else can he say?" Umm... nothing. Sorry to disappoint you, but he's just making noise.)

But anyway, Patrick came home today while I was feeding Samuel, and as soon as he heard his daddy's voice, he turned to look for him. He continued trying to turn, and I could not get him to eat until Patrick left the house again.

At the time, I just wanted him to focus on eating, but as I was thinking about it later, I felt so thankful that Samuel knows and loves his daddy's voice. I love watching them together and seeing Patrick as a father to Samuel.

It made me think too about our hopes for Samuel. When we were naming him, we thought about the story of Samuel and Eli in the temple and how we wanted our Samuel to respond just like that Samuel when he said to the LORD, "Speak, for your servant is listening." My greatest hope for him is that, at a really early age, he'll hear and respond to the Father's voice inviting him to be His son.

I sure do love these two-

4 months

We spent Thanksgiving week in Gatlinburg with both of our families- so wonderful!

And someone hit the big 4-months!

 

 

 

Patrick and Terry went fishing Friday morning.

I couldn't believe there were fish in downtown Gatlinburg

worth eating, but they fried up 4 big ones for lunch.

 

They also painted two small masterpieces

on the Dogwood Pointe sign

We are thankful!

Meeting the GG's!

A few weeks ago Samuel finally got to meet his Missouri great-grandparents, Roe and King. They made the long drive on a week when no one else would be visiting so they would not have to share this little boy with anyone.

 I think he stole her heart pretty fast.

GG Roe brought lots of presents



Samuel loves kicking GG King in the chest

and GG Roe loves the disposable camera.

 

The other big event in the Martin house is starting solid foods. I never

imagined we would do this so soon, but this champion sleeper started

waking up at night, and he decided he was ready for more.

And he is loving it.

 

 We started with just a little oatmeal in a bottle.

 And then moved on to the spoon.

And a week later we are starting squash.

I say no more veggies for mommy,

now that Samuel is eating them on his own!

 

And...

we got to see Dara, Jeremy, Olivia, Boone,

and little baby Eli, visiting from Slovakia!

 

And, to wrap things up,

Samuel's first Cru staff conference.

Trying to get a little shut-eye,

resting his little rear on the table.





A very happy 3 months

Samuel and I had a little 3 month photo shoot today

while Daddy was gone.

Happy 3 months to our boy!

 

 Sort of looks like a mug shot

 

 



 

We also went to prayer walk on campus today

and ran into all these friends!

Samuel was clearly excited to see them.

 

This little boy is making this fall extra fun!

This week we went to an apple orchard, and

we've also had on the schedule

our Cru Fall Getaway, a few weddings and

a "big, green tractor" birthday party!

 

 My nephew needs to go into modeling.

 

That's how you pick the good ones.

 

 Happy 2nd birthday, Caleb!

 

 Happy birthday to Mom, too!

It's hard to get a picture with a boy with cake!

 

Happy boy!

 Celebrating with the Chutes and Sherards.

We got to spend time with lots of friends that we don't see often

and enjoy one of the best wedding receptions I've ever been to-

Chick-fil-A, Krispy Kreme, homemade ice cream,

and drinks in glass bottles!

 

And later that same night-

celebrating David and Katie with

Jenna, Amber, and the Hassells

 

And Fall Getaway-

lots of fun but definitely a challenge with a little baby.

So not too many pictures from that weekend.