Can I use the Holiday excuse?

Cory is continuously bringing to my attention the lack of attention I am giving to the blog....forgive me!!! Along with everyone else I have gotten caught up in the holiday hustle and bustle and just have not taken the time to blog....not to mention that Cory has stolen my cord to download pics here...and who want to read the blog without some great pictures?
Well here is to catching you all up....We have over the last months had 2 trips to the pediatrician (thank God for a 10 dollar co-pay). Meredith has had a single ear infection and then one week after finishing her meds a double ear infection. She has not been a sick child up until now, but the last 2 months have given us a run for our money....she is been sick on and off for 2 months. For now she seems to be doing well. She also began having night terrors...and for those of you who do not know about those....I hope you never do. It started when we went out of town for Thanksgiving and she was so off of her schedule that she suffered from them for about 1 week. Middle of the week this week she has started sleeping through the night again. with some random waking up to ask to come in our room, or thirsty. I can handle that over the screaming and kicking any time. We have been praying with her as a family and keeping her on a tight schedule and that really works for her!!! Praise God!
Let's see....on top of all of that, I have a friend who delivered triplets 3 months premature and 2 of the 3 infants have passed on in the past week...one around 4 days old and the other was 10-12 days old. Austin, the remaining boy is doing okay, but still needs much prayer as he is less than 2 pounds. And of course, Lisa and Chris do as well. On top of all that has happened to them, she had to have her Gallbladder removed in the midst of everything. Please keep then in your prayers.
Meredith continues to amaze us with her vocabulary and thought process. She came in from outside yesterday crying and saying that her dog was "screaming at her" aka barking. She told Papa Steve today she wanted 2 ponies, and then "no, one donkey and one pony." He still insists that he is going to get her one and I know she will hold him to that. She still is talking about the house that burnt down the street from us. I explained to her what happened and how her Daddy broke into the house to help a teenage girl get out of the house. I already knew that Cory was a Hero, but I guess God wanted to prove that to me too. It was a very sobering day and impacted us greatly. Fortunately, there was no one hurt and the family is being taken care of, but still a tragedy. God often puts us in places to be used of Him, if we just yield to His Will. I know God had Cory off that morning and caused him to see the smoke and go investigate. Thanks be to God for his safety as well. God is Good!

Lindsey started back to work this past week and I got Avery for the first time on Friday. I am keeping her again on Monday and Friday, and will continue to have her 2 days a week as long as Lindsey needs or wants me to help! She is such a joy to me and I am loving having her around. For now it is filling my baby void and we continue to look to the Lord for another child. We know God has a perfect plan and timing and as hard as it is sometimes, we know He hears our prayers and knows that desires of our hearts. Avery has been on time for sure!!!
Most of my Christmas shopping is done....just a few loose ends to tie up. I am really enjoying the season this year and looking forward to watching Meredith.

She LOVES Christmas lights and we frequent the neighborhood to check them out. Cory is fininshing up our outdoor lights for her. We got our Tree up on November 30th and had the indoors finished by the 2nd, so that we will have nice long time to enjoy it!!! Meredith has her own little tree in her room and seems to enjoy it alot. We got to visit Santa....he came to my work and Meredith did really well. I guessed she would be shy, but she went right up to him and sat on his lap, snuggled and smiled for about 5 pictures and told him she wanted a Ball....SURPRISE!!!! She got her face painted with a stocking and got a candy cane to eat.....it was alot of fun to watch her. All of us kids are thinking of spending Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's this year and waking up to Santa.....I hope he knows we will be there...wink, wink. We thought it would be a fun change to wake up under the same roof and have a nice breakfast together.....a good ol' Griswald family Christmas (I hope not!)
As for me, I have been working some as well, but not enough to be overwhelmed with...Thank God. He is providing and blessing.
I guess that catches you all up briefly and I will try to add pics soon and update more often!!