Zac is trying to wear the vest Gary & Nell got Claire for Christmas here and we were able to get a shot before he ran out of it. I think it's just a touch too big for him!
We have had an enjoyable couple of days with Claire up here from KC. She was supposed to be up on the 26th, but snowstorm after snowstorm really did a number on travel plans for many people and delayed my trip down to pick her up as well, so we came on the 29th.
It has been a bit of a sparse Christmas compared to what we're used to, but I have to say it's been nice to be forced to focus on the things much more important than how many gifts I can buy my children and my lovely wife. When you love someone, I think it's alright to want to shower them with gifts, just as God has done for us, although I'm speaking more monetarily. It's also great, though, to take a step back and realize the gifts of family and love and life are even more exciting than all the things I wanted to buy. Hey, I can provide these gifts year round and, when funds allow, I can still buy the other things for those I love. It doesn't all have to be at Christmas or about Christmas just because it's the season set aside for those things. :)
Happy New Year everyone! To celebrate, I just uploaded 85 new pictures to the slide show on the right. Many are of Zac, with a few others tossed in. This covers our time up in Omaha and Zac's first Christmas, along with his big sister Claire, and also some time in the snow. :)
That picture of us in the snow is just an example of how tough Nebraskans really are. And that thing Zac is sitting on? We call that a Frisbee in Nebraska. Not sure what everyone else calls it...a saucer sled, maybe?
We have one here of Zac and big sister enjoying some time in the basement at Gary and Nell's house. :) 
Also, I've got one here of Zac and his cousins...this was as close as we could get to all 3 looking anywhere near cameras at the same time.
And then last, Zac started pulling himself up on things today for the first time. He's 11 months old today, so that seems a good milestone for him to hit. I am told that on Tuesday at his sitter's house, he climbed the stair between their entry and the living room and was up and down all day. That, too, is a new development. Take care all!
I was all set to share a picture of the stage at our church today, even took two pictures with my phone, but neither came out good at all. I'm so disappointed, because it's pretty remarkable. Hopefully Katy and I will remember to take her camera next week and we can get a better picture to share, but as a teaser, imagine Narnia with 4 big trees created from paper mache, I think. Also a bridge over a babbling brook, water and all, which a guitarist stood on while playing during a special of U2's "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". The stage is pretty incredible, but so was the song.
At any rate, we just began a series on Christmas, of course, which focuses on being treasured and recognizing the true vision of Christmas. It got me to thinking, during service (you know, when I should have been fully concentrating on the message), of what I really treasure in my life. I'm thankful for the treasure of a God who loves me enough to let me vent when things aren't going how I want them to go, Who is patient with me and leads me with a firm hand in the direction He has for me, for us as a family. Even as I am struggling with our move to this place, this desert, I know that if my focus is entirely on God, everything around will become a non-factor in my level of happiness.
I also treasure Katy, who has brought me a level of peace and comfort I knew I was looking for, but thought I'd never have. I treasure my children very much; Claire, my beautiful 12-year-old who is so caring, so loving and so funny that I never tire of talking to her; and Zac, my handsome, hilarious little bundle of joy, constantly pushing the boundaries of fun with his cute little habits, like clapping his hands when he wakes up, even if he's actually unhappy.
I know both Katy and I can honestly say we treasure our families very much, with wonderful parents who have loved and led us down the right path and done a great job of teaching us how to be good for each other and good parents ourselves. And, despite the challenges siblings throw on you growing up, or even in adulthood, we both very much love them as well, and not even begrudgingly! :)
Thought you might enjoy two pics today, since I couldn't get a good one from church to make it three. This one of Claire is of some pictures they just had taken for Christmas at Olan Mills. I hope it's safe to put this up here, as I just wanted to share something current of Claire for all to see. :) Then this one of Zac was taken this morning when we got home from church. We've moved him into the bigger car seat when in Katy's car, and it turns out it's pretty good for sleeping as well! Take care, all.
Zac is trying to wear the vest Gary & Nell got Claire for Christmas here and we were able to get a shot before he ran out of it. I think it's just a touch too big for him!
