Overheard

Tucker has been saying the most precious things lately.

1)  We were riding the in the car the other day and he said, "Why can't I see God with my eyes?"  So we started talking about why and he said, "So when I get to heaven I will have eyes to see?!!"  Yes, Tucker.  Then we started talking about how much he wants to see Jesus and would like to go to heaven if he could come back.

I said, "no- it's a one-way trip" and Tucker said, "no- Jesus died and went to heaven and then came back three days later".  And I said, "No, he actually didn't go to heaven when he died on the cross- the Bible tells us He descended into the place of the dead to preach freedom to the captives and went to heaven at the Ascension- 40 days after His glorious Resurrection."

10-year-old Professor Marky chimes in,"Yes, the waiting place that Jesus went to we call the Bosom of Abraham.  (HOW DID HE KNOW THAT?)  Tucker, these are all great questions you have about heaven and as you get older you will learn a lot more.  You will be able to read the book of Revelation and see for yourself what St. Paul reveals to us about God's kingdom."

2)  Last night we were driving and he said, "if Christ is our light, why is it so dark outside?"

3)  Today at lunch Tucker said, "last night I saw some light on the wall that looked like the letter J.  So I thought of Jesus and said several Hail Mary's in my bed."

4)  The other day I was drawing on Tucker's Boogie Board and drew the words "Mommy's Heart" and drew a heart with stick figures of of Marc, Marc Jr., Julia, Tucker and Charlie in it.  I showed Tucker and he looked appalled and said, "MOMMY!  Where is Jesus in your heart?!!!  You must put him here at the bottom because you love Him from the bottom of your heart!"

5)  Charlie threw a rosary the other day and Tucker lost it and yelled "Pick that up and kiss that cross!"

We love you, Reverend Tucker.

P.S. He thinks he's dressed as an "artist".  He's holding a paintbrush.

Zoolight Safari

Tonight we surprised the children with a trip to the zoo for the Zoolight Safari.  I'm telling you- the time to do these things is AFTER Christmas- there was NO LINE for anything.  We had the place to ourselves.  :)

A "snow" machine-

All four children rode the giant slide.  The blue runway is rollers so it goes fast!  Charlie got to the bottom, stood up and threw his hat down and said "I wasn't even scared!"

Riding the train- Amber got Tucker that soft FSU helmet for Christmas- he loves it.  :)

Such a nice night!

Sunday pics and Christmas toys

We have had such a nice, peaceful weekend.  It's great not traveling so much during the holidays- we've never had such a long stretch at home.  The children are loving all their new stuff.  Marc loves his lego structures- and Aunt Amber mailed us a few more from the Hobbit.

Julia made her duct-tape bag with the kit that Aunt Judy sent.  :)

Tucker LOVED his USA States puzzle- and he could see the tiniest part of a state seal or flag and say, "oh- that's Idaho!" or whatever it was.

Lots of playing outside-

And Marky even had basketball practice on Friday night so we ate at Mellow Mushroom while he was at practice and poor Charliebear was worn out.

Sunday Pictures from this morning-

 

Christmas Day

We were surprised and happy this morning when the children did NOT wake up at the break of dawn.  :)  They slept to a good time and we got up and had a quick monkey-bread breakfast with my little bedheads.

Daddy got a fire going using the log from last year's Christmas tree- another family tradition.  :)

Then it was on the present extravaganza.  The "twins" wanted to sit together to open their gifts.  :)

Then we went outside to see a special surprise on the porch- two new bikes for Julia and Tucker (and we took Tucker's old bike and put training wheels on it and a bow and gave it to Charlie, which we weren't sure would work- but it did!)  :)

We surprised Poppy with a wheelbarrow for the farm.  :)

And we almost forgot a present that was in a garbage bag- and it ended up being Julia's favorite present of her whole life I think- a giant unicorn that she named "Sparkle"!

BB got the boys matching outfits- they love to match.

And they both got binoculars-

Practicing on his "new" big boy bicycle-

Also- Tucker loves his giant globe ball and says, "Look- I'm Atlas...."

We had an early lunch, which was delicious!  BB's FAMOUS potato salad (no store version even comes close), Honeybaked Ham, Paula Deen's corn casserole, 5-cup salad, mac 'n cheese, English peas, sweet potato casserole and rolls.  

We didn't realize until we called him for lunch that Marky had been in the basement building legos and hadn't even gotten dressed.  :)

As we ate our lunch we noticed the deer had their Christmas lunch at our birdfeeders-

BB and Poppy left after lunch and Mommy and Daddy took naps on the couches while the three littles watched a Winnie the Pooh Christmas movie and Martin the Cobbler while holding their favorite Christmas toys.  :)

Charlie ended up loving this batman car and batman binoculars- he insisted on matching them.

Little Bit has not put this horse down once since she got it!

And Marc recently emerged from downstairs having completed the Imperial Star Destroyer and the Trifighter Droid in no time at all.

Now we are getting ready to head to church and end our day with the King of Kings!  Merry Christmas to all!

P.S.  Charlie fell asleep instantly on the way to church.  

P.P.S.  When we were on our way home Tucker looked up at the moon and said, "Oh how wonderful- I think God is smiling!"

I think so too, Mr. T.