Our Christmas Card and Letter

Okay, if you're on my Christmas Card list (work people! Rebecca! Jitterbug Mommies!) do not read any further :) Others, feel free to forge ahead and read our annual brag, ummm, Christmas letter (I really try not to brag). You can see all the credits for my card here.

The card says:

And when we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, and the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans – and all that lives and moves upon them. He has given us all green things and everything that blossoms and bears fruit; and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused – and to save us from our own foolishness, from all our sins, He came down to earth and gave us Himself.

~~Sigrid Undset

Wow! What a year 2006 has been for the Egg family – and yes, we say that every year! But we are truly amazed at the little blessings God has given us in our three girls.

Shortly after we sent last year’s Christmas greetings, we welcomed Anne Lancaster (“Annie”) into our family. She was born at 7:17a.m. on December 22 (a day earlier than originally scheduled) via c-section and she was none too happy about it! She was screaming her little head off before she was fully delivered, and we have pictures to prove it. Brad would take a few photos then turn to me and say, “She has hair!” He’d take more photos then, “She has a ton of hair!” – more photos and “She has a ton of hair! And, it’s CURLY!” Annie has fit wonderfully into our family. Her big sisters love her and we’re having a ball watching her grow. She is the size of the average six-month-old despite being almost one. She’s cruising everywhere and she loves being in the middle of whatever her big sisters are doing. She loves her Daddy. Her little face lights up as soon as she sees him. One of her favorite things to do is snuggle on his chest with her white “blankie.” I think she’d sleep there all night if he’d let her. She’s such a happy little girl and thankfully, a patient one as well – she needs to be!

Elizabeth Jane is growing like crazy, too. All our girls are. But, the arrival of Annie seems to have really made Elizabeth mature. She is such a wonderful helper, and she thrives in that role. She took dance during the summer and seemed to enjoy it, but she didn’t want to pursue it once the six week class was over. As it turned out, that was a good thing because she has been busy this fall! She started preschool in September. She attends three days a week and loves it. She usually can’t wait to get into the car to show off what she’s made that day. My refrigerator is The Egg Art Gallery – and I love it! She also started AWANA at church (our children’s program) – she is in three-year-old Cubbies. She is learning a lot about God and is memorizing Scripture. It is wonderful. She has a great team of teachers and we are so grateful for them. She can’t wait to memorize her verse each week. Elizabeth loves all things Disney Princess and as I recall, everything on her Christmas list is Disney Princess (seriously!). She’s even asked to have another Disney Princess birthday party, like the one she had when she turned three. She loves to play dress-up – she’s very much our “prissy” child. One Friday in November, Brad was off work for Veteran’s Day and he decided to go to school with Elizabeth that day. It was pajama day and all the kids wore their pajamas. So did Brad. It was priceless. He scored big points with his daughter and her teachers that day. I have pictures, of course! If you haven’t seen them, let me know. I’ll make sure you do. She was so thrilled about it. Another little girl who loves her Daddy!

Katherine Martin is, like her sisters, growing like a weed! She’s 2½ now, fully potty-trained (wahoo, only one kiddo in diapers) and boy, does she keep us on our toes!! People often ask “Are you going to try for a boy?” and our response is “We don’t need a boy, we have NinNin!” She is active and very much the extrovert. I’m not sure she’s ever met a stranger. She is our little entertainer and we are always laughing about things she does or says. Her verbal skills are amazing for her age – she talks just as much and just as clearly as Elizabeth does (no wonder Annie is so quiet!). One morning during the summer I was awakened by her, “Moooo-ooomy. Wake up! My not yay down anymore.” Oh Katherine, Mommy wants to sleep for about 15 more minutes. Want to climb in my bed and watch the Wiggles? (yes, a bribe) “No Mommy! My not yay down anymore! Get. Up. Now! My want coffee!!!!!” I opened one eye and, trying not to laugh, said, “You do realize you get decaf, right?!” Yes, Katherine loves coffee and yes, I give her decaf. We pass Starbucks and Elizabeth will say, “Mommy, there is your’s and Nin-Nin’s coffee store. I don’t like coffee.” Nin will pipe up, “My yub coffee!!” Yep, Nin loves coffee. Like her sisters, she loves her Daddy. She is the one who will throw open the door to the garage when she hears her Daddy come home from work and lead the way to welcome him home.

2006 has been a wonderful year for us. We hope it was for you as well. Hoping 2007 brings you happiness, blessing and health.