O.k., I THINK we're done. Really.....I think we're done Christmas shopping. I feel like I have to keep running back out, because I forgot someone. But now I am getting really excited about the gifts that I got for different people, and can't wait to see how they react when they get them.

I'm happy to say that we were able to secure a ticket for Race's mom to fly up! We will be going to pick her up from the airport on the 26th, and taking her out for a bite to eat, before heading back to Mom and Dads to visit with everyone.

I have enjoyed SO MUCH having Race home for the holidays. I am not sure if EVER, in our 15 years of marriage, he has been home and participated in all the "holiday stuff". From the tree, to the lights, to the shopping, to the wrapping, to the baking. This has really been an undescribable blessing for us all.

The kids each made their own gingerbread houses today. Normally we build an imaginative gingerbread house for the Christmas party at our house, early in the month. But because of our trip, we were unable to pull it off this year. I really missed doing the party AND the gingerbread house. We have done our own home, the North Pole, a log cabin, Redwall Abbey, and a bunch more, all out of ginger bread. My only rule is that EVERYTHING on it must be edible. This year, the kids were going to do Big Ben, because of our trip. But with no Christmas Party to show it off, we decided that idea might best be done next year.

Last night Thom came over for dinner. We had Crab Bisque, a salad, french bread and Christmas cookies for dessert. AND my new, FAVORITE cocktail.......The Cosmopolitan! I LOVED that drink! And it's so pretty.

Race brought out the lap top and showed us pictures that he has taken from all over the Mid East and Africa. The pics were amazing, and the commentary hilarious. For every picture of a woman in a burka he would say, "And that's my wife, you know, over THERE"......"And , right there- those are my two boys.." Heh, heh, funny guy. Anyway, this is the first time that we have been able to sit with him and look at these photos with him, and have him tell us something about them. It's cool to see your husband in front of the pyramids! It was a good time.

Have y'all had any problems with your blog time and date stamp screwing up? Mine is only working about half the time, and if I forget to check it, sometimes it will put my new post back in Nov!

Bridget, did you get my email?
Lynette, the pic. and card was to die for! I think that you may have a little artist on your hands there! Tell Will that the picture was beautiful, and all of my kids were quite impressed.

Have a great night!
Melissa