As the holidays wrap up and 2010 gets off and running we're taking a few moments to treasure these memories in our hearts and ponder on them just as Mary must have done so many years ago...

Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...

Uh, ya right! This year for Christmas all of the Easley children will be home to celebrate, and we are not a quiet bunch when we get together. Which isn't surprising considering there are 23 of us all together, 11 of which are 8 yrs old and under! I sure do love the craziness though. There is just something about all of us crammed around the Christmas tree, wrapping paper, gifts, crying children, laughing parents, multiple cups of coffee, and plates of food to keep your heart happy and thankful.

I hope and pray you all have a blessed Christmas full of joy and laughter, but most of all I pray you have a moment to sit and remember the reason for the season, Jesus.

Merry Christmas!

But the Angel said to them...

"...Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people! Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you!" Luke 2:10-11

Christmas is just around the corner and we've been spending out mornings learning what Christmas is all about. We've been reading Christmas books, coloring nativity scenes and trying to memorize the above verse.


This morning we made these super cute little angels. Aren't they great. They boys colored in the angel robes and then we taped them all together. They had as much fun making the Angels fly around and crash into one another as they did putting them all together. Boys will be boys!

6 weeks and counting...

Wee William turned 6 weeks old yesterday. It is hard to believe how quickly time is flying past. Maybe its the season, or just the business in having three little ones, but things seem to be going quicker than I remember. Then again it could just be because I am getting old :-)


We've been having great fun adjusting back to living in the States. Reading books...


And a gathering with ALL the cousins (11 of them, 8 and under) decorating candy houses!

Alright we confess, we did more eating than decorating, but that is what makes it SO much fun!

Home

Well we've made it. Finally arrived home after being overseas for over a year. It is hard to believe that we are here. Our time in N. Ireland was really great. We enjoyed seeing friends and getting to welcome Wee William into our family. I'm sure there are many moments that we'll carry with us forever.

Now we're back. Settling in and trying to figure out what time zone we're in. All three boys woke up bright and early (early as in 3:30) ready for the day. I'm up with them, but starting to fade. I'm looking forward to being fully adjusted and mentally with it...well as mentally with it as I can be :-)

Introducing...

Finally, without further ado I give you...

William Patrick Freeman Easley



Born November 3rd, at 3:46 in the afternoon, in Coleraine Northern Ireland. He was 7lbs 2 oz and 56 cm long. He joins older brothers Josiah and Benson, raising the number in our family to 5!

William was named after many different people. Not only is William a family name on both sides (Joey's Dad, my great-great grandfather), but it is also a very N. Irish name coming from William of Orange who ruled Ireland, Britain and Scotland in the 1600's. Patrick is for St. Patrick who is thought to have been a missionary to Ireland back in the day, and pretty well known for being connected with Ireland! Freeman is the last name of our dear friends Evan, Glennis, Dean and Lynn. Dean is one of Joey's greatest friends and the very reason we even tried to have William here. Glennis is a nurse in the hospital where William was born and it was because of her hours of research and phone calling we were able to have William here.

We have been having a great time adjusting to a new little one in the house. So far things have gone relatively smooth. Both boys love their new little brother, although they find him rather boring. Their favorite part seems to be the fact that every time people come to visit Baby William they bring presents. William is growing and changing quickly. It is hard to believe how little he is!


I am doing well, recovering quickly and being taken care of by Joey and the boys. A house full of boys really is TOO much fun!

November 3, 2009

Today is the day for the arrival of Baby #3. As we "speak" I am eating a bit of toast and tea then headed off to get ready. I'll arrive at the hospital sometime between 9 & 9:30 then they'll spend the morning getting me ready for surgery. Poor Joey get to hang out with me but will probably find himself just sitting around waiting until sometime after 2 pm when the actual surgery is scheduled for.

It is hard to believe that this day has finally come. So many big events have lead up too today and I find myself a bit in shock. I am excited to meet Baby #3, but finding myself a bit nervous about the whole thing. Kinda like when you're about to meet someone one who is extremely important - you feel unprepared and want to make a good first impression :-) Thankfully God has taken care of that first impression business and I will be blessed to hold this tiny piece of heaven without too much worry of being loved.

Isn't it incredible?! I want to write down all that I am feeling right now, but it is just too much for words. I can not stop praising the Lord for the gift of life, the gift of children and the hope of an eternal future because of HIS one and only son who came into the earth as a babe!

Thanks for your prayers. We'll do our best to introduce our little blessing as soon as we can. Here we go...