Holiday Re-Cap Part 1

December was so busy it is almost a blurr...but a WONDERFUL blurr!  It is time I try to get caught up so we can have record of these wonderful memories.  We had such a wonderful week welcoming home our Elder Ben!  The night he came home, we went to our Stake President's office, Pres. Raines, for Ben to be released as a full time missionary.  It was truly a sacred experience.  Pres. Raines asked Ben to share his Testimony in Chinese... it was so heartfelt and tender.  Though we couldn't understand a word... our Spirit's felt the truth of the Testimony he bore.  One of the last things Pres. Raines said to Ben was that he felt impressed to express that Ben is the glue that holds our family together.  He is the connection between the older brother's and the younger brother's.  His words couldn't have been more true!  Ben has always been the peacemaker in our home, and we have all felt that peace since he has been home.

On Christmas Eve, Tyler and his family arrived!

Seeing Ben for the first time since he came home...

 Papa seeing baby Rhett for the first time...

 Uncle Brad and Rhett!  Uncle Tyler and Asa!

My BOYS and Their BOYS! I love this picture...a dream of mine come true!

 Uncle EJ and Kalvy...back together again!  They love each other so...

 Uncle Noah meeting Baby Rhett..

 The babies ready to go to our traditional Christmas Eve Dinner at Outback Steakhouse!

 Kelly holding her babies... Such a beautiful Mama!

Home for some Christmas Carols...

 New PJ's (sweatpants this year!) and Pillow Cases...

 and Christmas Jammies for the littles...

 
What a wonderful Christmas Eve!!

Sweet 16!

How can my Noah be 16?

16 years ago I was in early labor.  Noah was determined to come 3 weeks early...his lungs weren't fully developed yet.  I had a new Dr. and he suggested a new Pediatrician.  After he was born, they rushed him into the Intensive Care Nursery.  Our new Pediatrician (whom we hadn't met) came to evaluate Noah... Dr. Wynn looked at James and said "I know you from somewhere."  He proceeded to work on Noah...he threaded a small tube through his belly button up into his lungs and helped inflate them.  James asked Dr. Wynn to help him give Noah a blessing.  He was covered in tubes and had a breathing tent over his head...so they each placed two fingers on his head and gave him a blessing.  When things were calmed down... Dr. Wynn told James..."We were in the MTC together!"  Then James remembered they were in the same Zone at the MTC and played basketball together.  James went on to serve in Boliva and Dr. Wynn in Argentina.  To meet again under these circumstances was truly a blessing!  He honestly saved Noah's life...and has been a dear friend ever since.  We invited him to come and help bless Noah a month later... great memories.

Dr. Wynn felt Noah needed to be transported to another hospital by ambulance...

 Here he is in his traveling incubator before they took him away...it was an awful feeling to be in one hospital and my new baby taken to away to another hospital

 I received a phone call about 11pm that night... "Lisa, this is Dr. Wynn...I am holding the most beautiful baby... he has made a miraculous turn around and we feel he is going to be just fine!"

What a relief...I will always remember that phone call!

I demanded I be released the next morning so I could go be with my baby boy!  He only had to stay 4 days ... we were so excited to get him ready to go home!

Home to the big brothers...

 Ben doesn't look too happy... he was the "baby" for five years, ya know!

We love you Noah!  We are so glad you are a part of our family!  You bring a lot of laughter, music, a bit of "Drama" and joy to our home!

Happy Sweet 16!