The next morning Lois gave her a present to open from Nana Fay - her own Bible, with her name inscribed. The other girls opened theirs with everyone on Christmas Eve, and I felt sad that they didn't open them together, but in this moment I was glad that Q opened hers without everyone there, because I felt pretty emotional about it. My deepest desire is that she chooses to follow the Lord and understands and craves salvation. I want her to be a woman of God, seeking after Christ in all that she does. And I KNOW that Nana wanted the same thing for her, and to know that these bibles were a wish of hers at the end... I felt so grateful, and I once again remembered Nana's words to me about reading Scripture to Quinny and praying for her daily. It was just a pretty powerful moment for me to watch Quinny get very excited about this Bible and immediately want to flip through it (she has a kid's bible at home, a few of them actually, but I think this one excited her because it was similar to the ones Jon and I have), and to know that Nana would have been so happy. Nana, I will read these words to her, and I will pray for her daily, and I look forward to seeing you again and hugging you tight and thanking you for this precious gift for my girl.
Tim and Lois let us open our gifts from them that morning before everyone got there. I got a Cuisinart Food Processor! So generous and thoughtful! Love it!!
Quinny got Playmobile from them - a park setting. She immediately wanted to open it, so Jon and her sat and set it all up. Jon spent a lot of time in his childhood doing Playmobile, so I think its pretty fun for him to have her at the age now where she will also love it
Jon got a saw to do house projects in the garage which he was pretty pumped about! Another generous and thoughtful gift, just like Tim and Lois!
Playmobile!
I didn't take pictures at all during the day, but it was Jan. 29th, Auntie Hanna's birthday. We came back early so that we could be there for this. We went out to her house and I hugged her tight and we both cried... my heart just hurts so bad for her and Stef and Roger. We all just hung out and chatted together and spent the afternoon just being together and celebrating Hanna. That evening was Tim's family get together, so Jon and Quinny went over the Uncle Teddy's house for that (I stayed home because my throat was hurting really bad). Then home for bedtime after another big day. Papa read Quinny her new Pete the Cat collection book - she got it from Brandon and Shelby on Christmas, but with how terrible she was feeling she didn't muster much excitement about it. So I sent this to Shelby so show her that she does indeed love her book :)
And then the next morning was Lampard brunch and gift exchange! It was really nice to see everyone and spend time together as a family (even though I'm sure I'm the only one that felt that way, since they had just spent the last week all together haha!). I appreciated that they all wanted to get together and do something to celebrate Christmas with us also! I hate always having to miss out somewhere (I know, I say that a lot. But its true! Hearing all their stories from Christmas made my heart sad, because I wished we had been there! Even though we had a great time with my family and I was thankful to be there... see how this gets confusing for me?! Such an emotional woman, I am haha!). Brunch was delicious and Lois had the table set so beautifully! Quinny actually found her own spot because she is able to recognize her name. So proud! Love all these people so much
Aimee was working on a puzzle so Jon went over and sat with her and helped. I love the bond that these two have. Aimee gets Jon on a different level than his other siblings... isn't it interesting how siblings can all love each other the same, but have very unique relationships with one another. Having just a brother, I can't relate to that, but I see it in how Jon interacts differently with each of his siblings. With Aimee, he is most "himself" - they talk about world events, and their passions, and their faith, and I love listening to them.
Present time! Quinny got two super hilarious books from Auntie Mimi, and a good night moon to hang up in her room.
We got Madi this hand puppet, and she was so funny with it! I was glad it was a hit! Makenna from us got a horseshoe charm and necklace
Seriously, could these two be any funnier?! Man they crack me up!!! Anything for a laugh!
Auntie KK gave Quinny clothes, and Auntie Care knit Quinny this lovely blanket and pillow for her baby! So perfect
Gift for all three girls from Nannie and Papa! (It was for downstairs... a dvd player? A pvr? I can't quite remember! But it was for them to be able to watch their shows down there!)
Care had my name and got me this adorable wooden sign! I love it!
I got Aimee some hand done local calligraphy, and also this Harry Potter illustrated book! She seemed to love it. Yay!
His face when he realized what could be in this box... a new Patagonia sweater from Calea!
I actually thought he might cry haha
So thankful for such an amazing and perfect gift! So much love here.
Quinny got her Bible back out and wanted to read it to us Ha! A few more years until you can read it yourself my love.
Tim and Lois opened their presents from us, including this adorable snowman that Lois saw a few months ago in a store in Chemainus and loved, so I bought it and have had it since then!
Luke's present from Jon - a new Burton hoodie. He seemed to love it. Quinny was so tired, and this picture made me laugh. Look at that face on her! Yikes!
Two little monkeys!
The boys in their new gear! Looking good!
That afternoon Jon and I decided to head home, because we had SO much stuff with all our suitcases, and we thought it would be nice for Quinny to come home and have all her things organized and put away. So we asked Aimee to keep Quinny overnight - with how sick she's been, and just off, I thought that coming home for a night just to come back down the next day would throw her right off, and maybe it was better to just push one more day and keep her down there. Aimee agreed, although we almost had to come back and get her at one point! She was pretty sad, and wanted to come home, and I felt awful. But Aimee was able to distract her and they had a good night together, and we got all of those suitcases unpacked, put away, and house cleaned. We worked hard! It felt good to have that all done, and to be able to just enjoy New Years after that!
