Catlin is 8!!!

My baby is eight today! Technically, there are two things wrong with that statement. First, Catlin is not technically "mine." She is my niece. However, her mother has been gracious enough to let me pretend that she is partially mine. For that matter, she's not even my brother's child--she is Ivan's sister's child. But, we have a "princess" bond that makes us as close as any family relationship. Second, she is certainly not a baby...she's now eight. Sometimes I question whether or not she was ever a baby! She has always seemed so mature.

Catlin is such a special girl. She has such a sweet and tender heart. Ivan and I have so many special memories of her. A few stand out. When she was two or three, Ivan and I were at his parents house and Catlin asked if she could go home with us. The answer to that question was "yes" almost every time she asked. Ivan had just gotten a new truck, so she was sitting in between us. About half way to our house, she put one arm around Ivan's neck and one arm around mine and said, "You guys is just my best friends." I think both of us would have done anything she asked at that point.

In December 2003, I was taking Catlin and her sister, Hannah, to my Nan-na's house to visit with my family for Christmas. Hannah was just four months old. I'm not sure what exactly Catlin and I were talking about, but I told her that things would be different between us when she got bigger and she wouldn't be as excited to hang out with us as she was at that time. She told me then that she would always, "love you like I love you when when I'm little." Talk about precious!

Ivan and I took her to Disney World the following month. That's when I think Ivan discovered the true magic of Disney. It was so special to see Disney through Catlin's eyes. She was a joy and her behavior was perfect.

Traveling with Catlin is always fun. Elaine has let us drag her on many trips to different states. Never once have I had to be concerned about her attitude or behavior. She fits into any situation and finds the fun in it.

I was concerned about her when Hannah was born. Catlin had been the center of so many worlds and her world was certainly getting ready to change! However, never once have I seen her be ugly to her sister. She is the best big sister that I know. Hannah's happiness is always at the forefront of Catlin's mind and she is so selfless when it comes to her sister.

Now that I have a baby of my own, she has been such a help to me. She remains calm even when I don't. When Preston cries, it doesn't bother her, she just tries to make him happy.

My happiest moment of all in Catlin's life came in October when she asked Jesus to come into her heart and be her Lord and Saviour. I can't wait to see what God does with her!

I truly believe that God has great things in store for Catlin's life....she has already blessed our lives beyond measure in the last eight years!

Christmas 2006

This Christmas is definitely going to be a different one for Ivan and me. It's our first Christmas with Preston! Granted, Preston won't understand anything about it this year, except that there are lots of people around, but it will still be an exciting time. These are just a few of the things I'm looking forward to about this Christmas:

1. Waking up with Ivan on Christmas morning....hopefully to the sounds of cooing over the monitor and not crying!

2. Lots of food favorites - Tanya's ham biscuits, Mom's Dreamsicle fudge, Bacon Tomato Cups that are good (but not as good as when Debbie McDonald makes them for me), sweet potato casserole, Louise's stuffing, cranberry sauce, I could go on and on.

3. Watching my Dad as he ponders how perfect Preston is.

4. Being 30 years old and still being able to share Christmas with three grandparents who are in great health.

5. In-laws who will welcome me into their home as if I am their own child.

6. Catlin's excitement and Hannah's sweet smile.

7. Knowing that when Preston gets me a little stressed, Mom can still make everything all better.

8. Sarah Hancock's sweet smile.

9. Michael making me laugh uncontrollably, especially if he performs "Mary, Did You Know."

10. A husband who is every wife's Christmas dream and so much more than I deserve.

11. A mother-in-law who opens her home to everyone who wants to be there and never complains or talks about how much work it is.

12. A father-in-law who wants to hug me on Christmas even though he won't admit it.

13. A sister-in-law who will let me steal sweet Christmas moments with her girls.

14. Shopping with Caroline in Princeton the day after Christmas.

15. Taking pictures of Nan'-na while she is mad at us.

16. Watching Preston put on a show for everyone.

17. Holding Preston as he goes to sleep after he is worn out from the Christmas festivities.

18. John Mark can wrestle with Karen this year and not me!

19. Bonding with Doug over the fact that we're the only "normal Americans" at the Birrell family Christmas.

20. Awaiting Sharilyn's hilarious Christmas stories after returning to work on Wednesday and making her say, "Owen."

21. Listening to Gramps pray before Christmas dinner.

22. Laughing during prayer.

23. Hoping that Seth tells a story that makes Grandma think he's even crazier than previous Christmas stories.

24. Preston's adorable Christmas clothes!

25. Watching the Disney Christmas parade on TV Christmas morning.

26. Apple cider, peppermint hot chocolate

27. Ivan will chop tomatoes and onions for me so I don't have to spend hours trying to do it.