Countdown of 2010

As I look back over this year, there are so many wonderful things that have happened.  It may be safe to say it's been my best year yet!  Ever since we were kids we have written down our "goals" for the next year and sealed them with a candle wax seal to be opened and read at the end of the year.  It is always fun to see what we wanted to achieve in the new year and what was important to us at the time.  When I was younger, a typical goal might be "stop fighting so much with my sister, even though it is usually her fault" or "make the honor role at school all year."  Now, my goals are geared more toward financial, spiritual, and relational goals.  This year, we are going to start a new tradition and begin "Loved, learned, and like to see happen" book.  We will all write down what we loved about this year, what we learned in this year, and what we would like to see happen in the next year.  I'm excited to see what everyone writes, and I know this will be a great keepsake for years to come.  To brainstorm, I will start with a countdown of important events that happened in 2010...

10. one year of marriage down, many more to come
9. Michael started nursing school
8. school talent show performance to "Evolution of Dance" (while 5 months pregnant)
7. a fun-filled summer keeping Kayden and Cameron
6. a three-day yard sale that proved my husband can sell ice cubes to an eskimo
5.  Michael and I experienced Character Quest for the first time as counselors, and loved it!
4. a major flea infestation at the Burtram house (thanks to Spanky and her kittens)
3. a dozen prenatal visits to check on "Hopper"
2. a classroom move to a brand new middle school
and the number one event of 2010...
1. adding a new member to the family!

Merry Christmas 2010

This Christmas season may have been the best and busiest one yet for our family.  Adding a new member makes everything a bit more interesting and enjoyable.  We are blessed to have a big family which means we have several Christmas celebrations all over the southeast.  In a three weekend continuation, here is a look at Christmas 2010 with the Burtrams...

Pawpaw and Sam at Aunt Suzy's house.            Cameron's Christmas sweater.

Santa Cameron and Pawpaw and Kimmie

The Mersing Family

Sam got Green Eggs and Ham in his stocking for Christmas.  Ethan, Evan and Sam 

stopped for one picture in front of the tree, and then...

time to tear into some presents!!!

...and more presents!  Santa even brought the boys some sparkling 

grape juice to celebrate the new year.

Can you tell we got a Wii for Christmas?  Complete with the 

Just Dance game.  So fun!

Christmas Eve service at World Outreach Church...

our favorite Christmas tradition.

All the boys in their matching Christmas pajamas at Nani's house

Sam finally meets his cousin Michelle.

Sam's not sure what to think about his great grandad holding him.

All the grandkids and great-grandkids...

(minus Aaron and Brayden having a meltdown in the back of the photo)

Who doesn't love Christmas in Columbus?  My three boys sure do!

A white Christmas in Birmingham at Nani's 

Amanda and Kayden playing in the snow

Ethan and Evan built a snowman in the snow...

or at least one layer of a snowman.

Mary Knew...

Inspired by a blog post from a friend of mine, I have created one of my own...

Mary you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name of Jesus.  Luke 1: 30-31

With this holiday season being my first as a mother, I seem to have Mary on my mind a lot.  A teenager.  A virgin.  The mother of the highest king.  There is a popular song entitled "Mary Did You Know" that begs the question of whether or not Mary understood the true significance of giving birth to her son Jesus.  Now, having shared a similar experience of giving birth to a beautiful baby boy... I think she knew.

She treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Luke 2:19

When I first saw the face of my newborn child, my heart swelled with joy at the miracle God had blessed me with.  When I held him in my arms and stared into his eyes, I was in awe of the work of my creator.  I imagine Mary felt this way too.

When we received his name from the Lord and introduced him with pride to our friends and family, knowing he was placed here on Earth with an important purpose, I smiled at this precious gift we had received from God.  I imagine Mary felt this way too.

When I think about the responsibility I have to raise up a godly young man who will boldly face his adversaries and lend a helping hand to others in need, I am overwhelmed at times at the task God has charged me with.  I imagine Mary felt this way too.

When he smiles at me and wraps his little hand around my finger, a motherly instinct to protect swells up inside me, and I pray each day that God will protect him from harm.  I imagine Mary felt this way too.

I imagine she knew exactly how significant the birth of her son was.  I imagine everytime she looked at him was confirmation to her that she indeed was favored by God and had been chosen to complete a very important task.  Everytime I look at Sam I am reminded that first, God answeres prayers, and second, I too am highly favored by the Lord.

Harper or Miles

For so long now, we have been awaiting the arrival of Kendall and RJ's baby "Meatball" and now we can finally say...

 It's a Harper!!!!

A beautiful 7 lb. 7 oz. baby girl was born to the Williams family on the evening of December 20th.  Not knowing the sex of the baby until birth made for a highly anticipated arrival complete with a baby betting pool on the date, weight, and sex of the baby.  While I had been predicting a boy, gut feeling I guess, this perfect baby girl has already melted her Aunt Jenni's heart.  Sam and I drove down to meet baby Harper in the hospital, but since Sam was battling his first cold, he didn't actually get to go in; he stayed with Nani in the car.  However, I got to hold this sweet girl and take pictures with her and the new mommy.  Happy birthday Harper, you are one loved little girl!

Sam Snapshot: 2 months

I'd like to begin this blog post by confessing this is NOT a picture of Sam at his 2-month checkup.  Smiling was out of the question at his real appointment.  This photo was taken in front of the Christmas tree the day before during some tummy time...when he had something to smile about.

Sam and I went to his 2-month old checkup by ourselves since Daddy was out of town working (lucky Daddy).  Dr. Sam already loves our little Sam because they share the same name and was glad to see us.  They checked his breathing, heartbeat, and took all his current measurements.  At two months old, he already weighs 13 pounds and is 24 inches long!  He grew two inches just this month!  Sam jumped up the growth(y) chart and now sits at the 90th percentile for height and weight.  It's a good thing his parents are going to teach him to be kind and loving, or he would make a good-sized bully!

After all the measurements came the fun part...the shots.  Sam was vaccinated for I don't know how many illnesses and diseases, but what I do know is it meant three shots for my sweet baby.  The nurse had me help hold him and he got two shots in one leg and one in the other leg.  Of course, he cried and I cried...and cried.  Amazingly, he settled down and even went to sleep within moments of receiving his new vaccinations, Mommy, however, continued to cry for at least another five minutes.  My boy is so brave.

Here are a few more 2 month old pictures of Sam...

Tummy time with some help from the boppy pillow

 Getting ready to go to church.  Bundled up in hat and mittens because it's snowing outside.  Sam's first snow, December 6th, 2010.

 Learning how to sit up watching Mommy wrap some presents for Christmas.

 Sam's favorite sleeping position...

 A visit to Nani's house for some TLC for a sick baby boy...Sam's first daycare cold.

Look at this pitiful face!  Sam may be sick, but his new pj's from Nani sure are cute!

Starring Sam Elliott

Since I am trying to make a conscious effort to see God in my life everyday, I believe this was just a little "wink" from Him to show me he is always thinking of me...

Of all the movies that could be on television and of all the nights to have sat down to watch a Christmas movie with my sweet boy, we chose to sit down on this night and the Hallmark movie on cable was November Christmas, starring Sam Elliott.    Now could there be a more perfect movie for my Sam Elliott's first Christmas movie ever than one starring Sam Elliott?

Sam and I cuddled up on the couch in our Christmas pj's and enjoyed a blessed night together.

Sam Meets His Big Brothers

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Ethan and Evan came to Tennessee and got to meet their new little brother.  They had been sent many pictures and videos of the new little guy, but it's just not the same as meeting him in person.  Turns out, they are both naturals and being a big brother and a bigger brother.  Both boys are great with Sam and really enjoy holding, feeding and playing with him.  I am blessed to have three boys to love now...