December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!! We have had a very blessed Christmas and hope you have as well. Sydnie awoke at her regular time - 6:40 - and the first thing she asked, "Did Daddy go to work today"? As excited as she was about Santa visiting, she didn't even think about it until Tim brought it up. At that point she was very sad because she didn't hear the jingle bells and knew Santa hadn't come. Her demeanor changed when she saw the plate of cookies almost empty! It took some coaxing to get her away from the cookies...she was greatly desiring to eat one first thing, but when she did walk away, she was very excited to see all the presents around the tree!! (Of course, there were too many to fit under the tree.)

As she opened, she often said with so much excitement, "I've been wanting this all my life"!! Thanks to grandparents, Nannie, aunts, uncles, and of course, Santa, she was very blessed with all she received, as were Tim and I. We were all overwhelmed by the number of gifts waiting to be opened. But before opening of the presents, Tim said a prayer to thank God for all we have received, not only today but all through the year. While the presents are wonderful fun, we really do want Syd to keep in mind the importance of giving, family, and other values that often go by the wayside in the hustle and bustle. She may not get it this year, but eventually she will, we hope.

Playing with Thomas!

"This package is hard to open. Santa sure did tape them up well!"

Here Annabelle, it's time to eat.

Aaah...let's take a nap, it's been a full morning.

We are sorry we can't see you in person, but know that we are thinking of you. May you have a wonderful holiday and enjoy your time together.

Christmas blessings,

The Covingtons

December 23, 2007

Today after church we stopped for Rudy's Bar-B-Que-the indians were restless and wouldn't wait for lunch to cook. "I'm Starving!" was the chorus on the way home. So we arrive home, just a short distance that seemed much longer, and one little girl starts opening the bag ready to serve herself! I must give her credit, she is resourceful and quite independent-she won't starve. We sit down to eat and the conversation went a little like this:

Sydnie : I want some of that sauce. Is that the sauce that is hot? I want some of that sauce that makes my mouth hot.
Mom: Yes, Syd that is the sauce that comes with the turkey. I'll put a little on your plate and you can dip your turkey in it.
Syd: Good. That's the sauce that makes my mouth hot? I want that sauce.
Mom: Yes, Syd that is the sauce. Try a little first.
Syd takes a bite and breathes in a deep breath cooling off her mouth: That's delicious!
She continues to takes many quick bites, trying to cool off her mouth with air and water after each bite.
Dad: Syd if that sauce is too hot, take a break and just eat the turkey.
Syd: OK, Dad. (takes another bite and her eyes begin to water)

She finished eating her turkey with ketcup mixed in her sauce to give her mouth a chance to cool down. :)

Out of the mouths of babes, literally!!

December 20, 2007

The Christmas Season...full of songs, crowds, baking, parties, and we can't forget the noise, noise, noise, noise, which according to the Grinch, which we have seen many, many times, is the worst part of Christmas. Yet, the right kind of noise is what Christmas is all about...children's laughter, singing, bells, fires (some where), musical Christmas toys, the oven timer when the last batch of cookies is finished.

Today was Sydnie's Christmas Party at Preschool and the children were bustling around so full of excitement some of them could burst - especially when they saw Santa! Sydnie was excited, but only gave a little smirk when she sat on Santa's lap. I guess one too many pictures of her with Santa. However, when we got home, she quickly emptied all of her goodie bags in front of her so she could see everything...and there was quite a bit of stuff. Her bucket was over-flowing, as was her excitement.

December 2, 2007

Today is a special day for my sister-her birthday! Happy Birthday, Steph from all of us in Texas

December 1, 2007

Today is the test. Can I post successfully and keep friends and family better up-dated with what's happening here in Texas?? We'll see......