A Little Praise for My Little Man

I am going to brag about my little guy for a minute. He is such a joy at the moment. He is so easy right now.

He is sleeping well. He takes 2 naps a day, and he WANTS to go to bed around 7:00 PM. He rarely fights us on sleep anymore.

He is learning to play with toys and keep himself entertained. That is a blessing because I am able to get stuff done.

I drag that little boy all over creation running errands. He rarely complains and is so patient. He either sits in a cart or his stroller goes along for the ride.

He travels so well. We have taken him on long car rides and we hardly ever hear a peep from. He loves to ride in his car seat, and listen to music. It is fabulous.

He is also starting to take some steps. He is trying to go to quickly and just tumbles forward after about 2 steps. He usually laughs while he is falling. Pretty cute.

Anyway, brag over. Have a great weekend!

Touching Poem

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

New look for the holidays...

We changed the look of our blog to help start off this Holiday Season. Have fun decorating your homes and listening to Christmas music. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends and family. We hope you have a blessed day!

Love,

The Greens

Empire Mine

Upon the recommendation of our friends Sarah and Nick Moulton, we decided to head to Empire Mine last week for a little afternoon trip. It is absolutely beautiful. The grounds are kept perfectly. It is so peaceful and serene. We enjoyed every minute of our time there. If you get a chance to go up to Grass Valley, take the time to stop and visit. You won't regret it.

We took lots of pictures. Enjoy!











Chase's Favorite Attraction

His Second Favorite Attraction

Squirmy Wormy

Down in the Mine Entrance

Happy Birthday, Chase!

Yesterday was Chase's first birthday. We just spent the evening together as a family. We are going to celebrate it with family tonight and have a little party.

Chase has been such a blessing to us. He has brought laughter and joy to our home. There is never a dry moment over here. We love him so much. Abe and I were talking about him last night and we both summed up the past year with "we just love him so much" and "he is so cute." (That is our biased opinion of course) We both do know that God is the Giver of all good gifts, and that our son is no exception.

I am putting together a little photo slideshow of the past year. Here are a then and now picture. This is how far Chase has come in the last year.

Then:

Now: