As has been my usual way for many years, I awoke before the rest of the household and padded toward the kitchen. I could still hear the laughter from the night before as we shared in a meal and cut up while opening the colorfully wrapped Christmas gifts. Most of us gave hints of things we wanted and faked it, but some were genuinely surprised. The kids’ dad always worked offshore so they learned early on to celebrate Christmas anytime!

Before I could get the coffee started, I breathed a prayer of thanksgiving that almost all my precious family was on the hill. We rented the same lodge for our family vacation as we did last year because it suited us so perfectly.

We have the same number of folks as we had last family vacation, but my grandson, Aidan, couldn’t get away from his naval training in Gulfport to make the trip with us this year. If you are wondering how we have the same number as last year since we are missing one, I’ll let you in on our exciting news!

Ava Leigh, my first great grand, and Melinda’s first grand, is with us! Our precious Alex has her in a cozy spot until Ava makes her entrance into the outside world in a few months. We are all delighted and can’t wait to hold our newest family member.

Babies are a real blessing, and this is our first new addition is almost fifteen years. Our last baby, Gauge, was born in Slidell, Louisiana, but Ava will make her entrance in Hawaii where Aidan will be stationed. Ava will be an island baby for at least a couple of years, and after that who knows?

I must admit that it will be difficult to have a little one so far away, but I am sure to make at least a couple of trips to see the little family of three. Maybe Ava will have Aidan’s olive complexion since she will probably spend lots of time at the beach. Alex is fair and lovely, but as a fair skinned girl myself I know the sun isn’t kind to us.

The days are moving at amazing speed, and we are savoring every moment. The sweetest memory for me this year was having home church. We didn’t really plan it, but everyone was tired after the hours of traveling, and some slept in.

We all gathered in the great room and began making a joyful noise because we weren’t blessed with beautiful singing voices. Then we shared what we were thankful for or our favorite memory verses. We shared stories of how God has worked in our lives over the years.

It wasn’t fancy, and as I stated the music wasn’t the greatest, but I think God was smiling down as we reminisced of His great faithfulness and love for this little family through good times and bad.