Edventure Children's Museum

Mombo & PawPaw took us all to Edventure! It was, as always, really fun. Elijah liked the Lego room this year, which he could not have cared less about last time we went. It is so exciting to see his interests expanding and changing. This trip was even more fun because PawPaw (hater of all germy, communal things) accompanied us. Way to step out of your comfort zone, Dad! Haven must have thought this was real food!Elijah and this S.W.A.T. hat were inseparable those first few days after he got it.He's tall enough to collect the eggs now!Lego Room - absolutely amazing!Bella Boo was a fun playmate, although I think we lost her at least twice. Ooops.Still BFFs. (Right Bella?)Miles showed us his favorite new activity - rolling over - while they played in the baby area.Polly Jane practiced holding up her head to watch the amazing Miles.
Look at these sweet babies!Elijah made a mask...and a machete. (Good one, honey.)We ended this day excursion with pizza from my favorite South Carolina eatery, Chicago Uno's. Although not my very favorite pizza place, I really like to squeeze in a trip there every time I am home. We really missed having Joe around all day. He contemplated Skyping in for another game of Charades that night.

Unlicensed & Unregulated: Abortion Clinics

"We have more regulations for women's hair salons than we do for abortion clinics." ~ District Attorney Seth Williams



Lest you think this is something that could only happen in Philadelphia, our local abortion clinic is also unlicensed and unregulated.

Perhaps you will consider attending a Rally for Life in your area this weekend?

The Day After Christmas

The two most wonderful Pollys in the whole world! How thankful I am that my children can be held, seen, and loved by their great-grandparents!Jolly Jane~:-) Super Aunt Ab!The monster train set Eric & Joe pieced together. I'm pretty sure Eric had more fun than Elijah working on this.
What?!?! Snow in South Carolina? Snow bunny! Snowballs! Ummm...I don't actually remember this, but I'm sure we used this as an opportunity to impart some sort of wisdom to Elijah. (Eric?)Our snowman family. Can you see Polly Jane? And can you see our coordinating Christmas bows?Fox News with PawPaw. Intriguing. The best baby!This was a fun day with a surprise snowfall. I can count on two hands the amount of times we had real snow in South Carolina during my youth. This was probably the most I can remember having. Plus, it was the perfect consistency for making snowmen and snowballs. We had a great time with it!

Thanking God for...

{Gifts 35-50}

- Children who hover & the patience it forces me to have
- Witnessing the ordination of a dear friend's husband & being close enough to see her radiate with joy
- Jenelle's wonderful visit
- Watching Jenelle love my children in all their babbling, high-maintenance glory
- Hours in the car enjoying (guiltlessly!) the pleasure of a long, long talk
- Inspiration (to play, to love, to sit, to create beauty) from watching others
- A new coffee pot & lots of cream
- Eric surprising me with the idea of an at-home coffee date
- A free coffee due to another's impatience
- Hearing pregnancy news; the joy in expecting to see another baby
- Staying until closing because we have so much to say
- Familiarity with these Scripture passages & the joy brought from reading them again
- Haven: "Gawawawawd. Tank You!"
Elijah: "And thank You for the Christ...." {He listens!}
- A tiny church booming with "Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"
- Knowing a God who gives blessings! "For You have dealt bountifully with me!" (Ps 13:6)
- A husband who is happy to let me have a good time

A Hamilton Family Christmas

Fun, fun, fun times. We were able to spend Christmas 2010 with Mom & Dad, MawMaw & PawPaw, Uncle Dwight, Joe & Ab, Bella & Miles. Polly Jane was a little overwhelmed.All my favorite people: Haven, sporting some of her new *bling.* She was super into the stick-on princess earrings Bella shared with her. Oh my. Bella immediately started taking care of her new baby. Haven's favorite present was a pretend make-up bag. Here I am trying to show her how to apply lipstick. It was a little awkward for me, since I don't actually know how to do it myself. Thankfully, Mombo took over the makeup lessons. (Love that necklace Mom!) My new baby! Bella, still caring for her new baby: MawMaw - delighted to watch the children open their presents: They all liked to help each other~:-) Our current teaching topic: "Is that Food? Then DON'T PUT IT IN YOUR MOUTH!" Dad, trying out the new shoulder massage device:PawPaw, with his favorite present:
When I was small, MawMaw got me a keyboard. She wanted the tradition to continue with Haven. Boy has this toy been a hit! Elijah, constantly adding to his outfit: You can never have too many men on a couch...especially when watching Davy Crockett.It was a Merry Christmas!

The Best Part of Christmas Day

MawMaw was tucked in bed fairly early that evening; after waking up at 3 AM to travel to SC to see all of us, she was a bit worn out. Haven & Bella were not about to tolerate an early bedtime. They both climbed up into bed with MawMaw. There we all had a rousing game of "Night-Night! Wake up!" {repeat x 100} Haven loved it. Bella loved it. MawMaw loved it. I am so, so happy that my daughter gets to play with her great-grandmother! What a blessing!