Very Merry and White Christmas 2010

What a blessed Christmas and 2009, for that matter, we've had. I did not get to my Christmas letter this year. It seems I went from planning Shawn's 1st birthday to Thanksgiving (which by the way was Shawn's birthday this year) to opening Christmas presents and celebrating Jesus' birthday. Time has flown by once again. Not sure which season has gone by faster, 2009 being pregnant and having Shawn join our family the day before Thanksgiving, or this past year watching he and Saralyn grow, grow, grow.

Saralyn began taking ballet this summer and has continued on through the year. She loves, loves, loves it!! She shows us all her twirling moves and sings for us at home all the time. She is still attending pre-school at Belle Aire in Murfreesboro 2 days a week and is doing great. Shawn began crawling around 6 1/2 months old and then pulling up & traveling came soon after. He officially began walking at around 10months old. He was ready to stay on big Sis's heals. They play and get along really well. We are so blessed to have them both. What joy and pleasure they add to our family.

I've been blessed to be home with the kido's this past year and also began keeping our godson, Garrison 3 days a week in our home. He is now 6 months old and Shawn can not wait for him to become mobile so the two of them can play ball. Paul's work has been rough at times when he was working extra long hours and some weekends. Thankfully that has come to an end and he's back to his normal weekly routine. We both are serving at our church in Children's Ministry (KIDMO - 2nd & 3rd graders) on Saturday nights.

We are thankful for all our friends and family and hope you've had a very blessed Christmas season and here's to your New Year, 2011.

Saralyn loving on Shawn

Saralyn loves to hold Shawn. It's amazing to me how well she's taken to him. Here he looks almost as big as she it at only 3 monts of age.

Saralyn loving on her 'baby bro'

... I have it documented so she can never deny it.

Saralyn's First Snow Day

Saralyn had so much fun in the snow. I just wish we could have built a snowman and made snow angels, but with the layer of ice on top of the snow, it made it impossible.

We tried to convice Saralyn to go 'box sledding' but she was not impressed....

Shawn Daniel

Our precious baby boy, Shawn Daniel was born on November 25th, our little butterball. I was nervous at first about having a boy. Worried that the bonding wouldn't happen as easily or that I wouldn't be able to tell his different cries apart and know what he needed and wanted. Worried about how to love and nurture a boy verse a baby girl. But all that nervousness and worry was immediately dissolved once Shawn was born. He's a fun and loving addition to our family and Saralyn loves her little brother.

I was concerned how she would react to a new baby and not being the only child anymore, but Saralyn is such a great 'big sister' for a little girl. She loves her baby bro and I know as they grow, they will have a very special bond.

I think Paul has been surprised that he does have enough love in his heart for two very special children. I'm so blessed to have Paul. He's great with Shawn. Paul has the special touch when it comes to rocking Shawn to sleep and I welcome the break.