Graydon in the Christmas pageant. I think he was a shepherd...who lost his shoe while walking to the stage. 

Tristan says mama, baba, paw paw (grandma), mao mao (cat), ball, more, daw daw (brother), mum mum (food), nigh (milk), bye bye, may, adeline, bac (grandpa), yeh yeh (paternal grandpa), and men (amen). He signs quite a bit too. He loves attention, maybe even more so than his brother. 

Graydon tells his brother that he loves him so much when Tristan voluntarily joins him on the stairs for a time-out.

Graydon was sitting on the stairs for a time-out so Tristan went over to sit with his brother to comfort him. Graydon tells Tristan that he needs his help to defeat daddy, and they scheme together to topple the big people. 

Bean opening up his own presents. 

Graydon trying out his new pirate telescope. 

Another year is almost over and I am so thankful to God for His rich blessings in my life. He is truly the Shepherd that the Psalmist describes. He guides my path, knows when I need rest and provides me with so much more than I need or deserve. My two boys fill my heart with pride and joy. Their hugs, kisses and declarations of love are priceless. I have the most wonderful husband who takes care of us with the patience and understanding that only God can grant. We are surrounded by family and friends, by people who care enough to pray for our family. God is so good!

With all this, I still have a nagging question that I ask myself...did we do more harm than good to the ones we left behind? Those were some of the best times in my life and I still care so much about the three. We really treated and saw them as our own. But within the past 6 months, we've been finding out about the hurt and resentment they feel. This kills me. It keeps me up at night and eats away inside me. I've tried reaching out. I've tried explaining. It feels like they will always consider it a betrayal, an abandonment.

I don't ask for understanding or forgiveness. God, I just ask that this hurt doesn't get in the way of their relationship with you. I can accept being written off. And I know that there are many who have supported us and shown their appreciation. Thank you for keeping in touch and allowing us to continue to share in your lives.

Merry Christmas!  

Graydon playing with his magnetix. They're stuck onto every surface possible around the house. We just have to make sure that Tristan doesn't swallow them.