Debut of the 2009 Wrestling shirts

Okay, sorry for those of you who read mom's blog, but this will be a repeat. Although Cody was healing well enough to allow coach to be comfortable enough to let him wrestle on the 19th & 20th, he was limited to two matches and on paper, it was the other 140 lb. kid who got credit for Cody's wins. But that changed this week as he was allowed to compete in a tournament at Firth. (For the record, the Dr. says he's never seen anyone heal so completely and so quickly as Cody.) Cody did great, and ended up placing 3rd in the tournament. It's a good omen for things to come! For the rest of us, we got to debut the 2008-2009 wrestling t-shirts. Get used to seeing them a lot! (Just wait until we pick up the banner from the sign shop.)

40 Weeks

It was 40 weeks ago today that a beautiful little ten day old bundle was placed into our arms. Which prompts me to ask the question, what on earth did we do without him?

New Sunday Clothes!

How handsome is my baby boy in his new Sunday clothes? What a little heartbreaker!

A Very Merry Christmas!

This was a fun Christmas! Christmas 08 delivered unto us a huge blizzard with 8-10 inches of blowing snow, so that was something less that exciting.

This Christmas will aslo be known as the Christmas of the great dart gun war, thanks to some dollar store gifts and the very competitive nature of the men (and women) in our family. And it will also be remembered as the Christmas of the designer handbag. I'm so glad I have a father who not only travels so much, but who loves is wife and daughters enough that he brings back amazing finds like Prada, Burberry, Dolce & Gabanna (and more.) So each of the girls got a designer handbag this year. It was fantastic!

But more than anything it was just fun to see the munchkin on Christmas. Even if he didn't really know what was going on, he still seemed to have fun. It was a busy day for all of us. We started the day with stockings and gifts at home. Then headed to Trav's parents for more presents. The plan originally was to go to my sister, Jesse's for breakfast and more gifts, but thanks to the great blizzard, my parents were snowed in. Because we have 4 wheel drive, we decided to be adventurous and try and make it up to them. And it's a good thing we did too because Jesse and Kelly were stuck in the drive way and needed us to pull them out. We had breakfast and more fun there. Then it was back down to Trav's parents' place for dinner and games. We had a good time and we were abundantly blessed in many ways.

Hope your Christmas was equally as wonderful. Much Love!

Christmas Eve Images

New Pajamas!

Yes, that's right, red long underwear, complete with flap on the butt.

Mom didn't want a birthday cake, so instead we had a white chocolate cream puff tree.

It was delicious!

She got lots of fun presents (of course!)

And then came the Cunningham family tradition of opening one present each on Christmas Eve.

Gideon got a CARS backpack from cousin Lily. Inside it was a book and cute onesie. He really did seem to like it, especially the fact that it lights up.

I think Cami and Jacob are trying to put Travis and I in therapy. I got a pink Tar Heels hoodie (Thank you guys very much it's awesome!) But then they inexplicably got Travis a Duke hat. Seriously guys, were you trying to start a fight? It worked!

Cody seemed to like his new camera (all the sisters pitched in to buy him a nice one that he can take through wrestling season and on his mission next year. Notice it's even Madison red.)

Gideon was more interested in the mistletoe, than the kiss from Aunt Hillary.

The greatest stocking stuffer ever!

After we got home, St. Nick came and visited. We figured we'd better get pictures while it still looks perfect, because in the morning, it won't anymore.

Santa was really good in the stocking department this year, getting way too much stuff. But hey, we're not complaining.

The Best Christmas Ever

My heart is so full today that if I don't tell someone, I might explode. So sorry but all my blog followers get to put up with another overlong discourse from me.

It's easy to get depressed or sad when we look at the world we live in today. The political, social and economic climate of the world and even this country is in turmoil. Which is what makes Christmas even more special to me this year. Because what we celebrate at Christmas is hope. The birth of Jesus Christ gave the world hope. Because of his Atonement on our behalf, we can have hope for a better and brighter future. We know that the sacrifice our Heavenly Father made of His only begotten Son, was for the benefit of the world. On that night though, 2000 some years ago, he was just a baby.

I can't help but draw parallels. Nine months ago a very special young woman made the ultimate sacrifice. She put aside her desires and placed her beautiful baby boy into my arms. It was the most bittersweet day of my life. I will never forget the love she had for him, or the look of heartbreak in her eyes as she chose to leave him with us and walk away. And yet, even though her great pain was evident, there was no discouragment or hopelessness. In fact, there was great hope in the room that day. Because of her sacrifice, she had benefitted so many lives including her own. Much like the sacrifice our Father in Heaven made by providing us Jesus Christ for a Savior. (I don't mean to sound blasphemous here, this is just how it seems to me. Can you tell me any human sacrifice that even comes close?)

In the midst of the civil war Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a poem that became one of my favorite Christmas Hymns. It speaks of the hope provided by the birth of the Savior and his eventual sacrifice.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
The old familiar carols play

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of Peace on Earth Good Will to Men.

I thought how as the day had come

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along

The unbroken song

Of Peace on Earth Good Will to Men

And in despair I bowed my head

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For Hate is strong,

And Mocks the Song

Of Peace on Earth Good Will to Men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep,

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.

The wrong shall fail,

The right prevail

With Peace on Earth Good Will to Men."

Then ringing, singing on it's way

The world revolved from Night to Day,

A voice, a chime,

A chant sublime,

Of Peace on Earth Good Will to Men.

Today we'll celebrate our usual family traditions. We'll bake goodies and brave the snow to go caroling. In our case we'll celebrate a birthday and laugh at silly inside jokes no one else gets. And tomorrow we'll read the Christmas story from the New Testament, and we'll open gifts. We'll eat too much and play games. (And if it's a good year, we may even get a little karaoke in.)

But although I appreciate all of that very much, in the long run, none of it matters. This is already the best Christmas we've ever had. Because of the gift of our Savior and the sacrifice of one special young woman, I've already recieved the two greatest gifts anyone could ask for. Everything is, is just icing on the cake.

Merry Christmas to all!

Why Adoption Totally Rocks

Because you couldn't ask for a better Christmas gift than this!

CONGRATULATIONS to Ron, Jess & Little ZJ!

(Their blog is linked to mine for those curious to read the full story of this little miracle!)

Much Props to Mr. Smarty Pants

Okay a quick shout out to my hubby who recieved his test results for his CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) exam today. It was a surprise to get them so soon as he only took the test 10 days ago and they told him that results took 3-6 weeks to process. Still we're proud to say, he did great! They sent him the certificate and fancy little laminated identification card to prove it! Hopefully this means a promotion and nice, fat raise. But I guess we'll have to see. Either way Trav's just relieved to have the test over with and very relieved that he did so well! Love you sweetie, and we're so proud of you!

Give me a beach any day!

Have I ever mentioned that I hate winter. And I know hate is a strong word, so I mean HATE winter. "Hate, hate, hate, double hate, loathe entirely....." Okay enough of the tangent. I think you get the picture. I am one of those people who would rather be hot than cold and would be more than thrilled to live in a world with no snow or ice whatsoever. Seriously, I wouldn't miss it one bit. I've begged my husband to let me move to a warmer climate, but no, he insists that we must stay here because he for some reason likes the snow. (Which I find ironic since he travels so much and doesn't get to play in it anymore.) I've tried to adapt to my new state. Over the last decade I've learned to ski, gone on snowmobile trips and even tried sledding and the infamous "Tube Game." But it doesn't seem to matter how many layers of clothes that I put on, somehow my toes and fingers never stay warm, so I just don't enjoy those outdoor winter activities. I've tried to find good things about it. But frankly, I'm tired of trying to pretend I'll ever be happy in this weather. (For the record, you'll never ever hear me gripe about heat or humidity. That's why I'm allowed to whine all I want about winter.)

Some of you look at this and think, "Wow it looks so perfect for Christmas." I just look at it and want to cry. Actually I have cried about it come to think of it.

So since a lump is forming in my throat again, I'm going to change the subject! Cody got to start wrestling this weekend. Just two matches because the coach didn't want him to overdo it. But he did extremely well, winning both of them, one by pin and the other by major decision so we're all getting excited for him to get back to a full schedule. Providing he doesn't break anything else, he'll be competing at a tournament on the 30th, so we're very much looking forward to that.

The munchkin is getting used to wrestling and didn't seem to mind the noise and craziness at all this last time. And of course, he's stealing hearts and making friends all over the place. Just ask Doreen.

We went to visit grandma and grandpa on Sunday evening to find out that the elf had a little surprise for the munchkin.

What a sweet little elf! It's not even Christmas yet and he already had a stocking full of fun stuff for Gideon.

This is my new favorite picture! What a little charmer!

Meeting the Big Guy

Dinner at the Elk's Lodge Family Night where Trav's cousin, Ted, has played Santa Claus for nearly 20 years.

All things considered, he did really good for his first time with Santa. Considering that it was really late for him so he was an exhausted and cranky munchkin, and it was very hot in the room because it was so crowded and we'd had to wait through way to many mediocre dance numbers and a very long line before we even got to him. Still, at least he didn't cry.

How Big is Gideon?

Well officially at his nine month check up he's now 19 lbs. 10 oz. and stands 30 inches tall. Which means that he has graduated to a big boy car seat. The doctor was amazed at how ahead of the curve he is developmentally. He confirmed that the munchkin will be walking any day now. (Especially when I told him that he's already taken a step on his own a few times.) And because of all this, he not only gets to have a big boy car seat, but he gets to face forward now. (That's been really fun for him.)

But even big boys get tired.

He also discovered the live Christmas trees really don't taste very good. Go figure.

Goodies from Grandma Peggy

Okay, my grandma totally rocks! This isn't even half of the toys and goodies and fun stuff she sent!

Yes, the stocking is handmade! She's 83 but she can still see to do bead work like this! WOW!

We love you grandma!