"Christmas Eve"

"Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."

That will not be the story for our house this Christmas Eve.  Tony and I were planning on attending our church's Christmas Eve service together and come home and enjoy a quiet evening eating pizza and watching Christmas Vacation.  Jordan and David stopped by on their way out of town earlier, driving to be with his family for Christmas and Bryan and Jenna were in Missouri with her family.

David & Jordan's first Christmas together!

 Jenna's family has been through a lot since the holidays began.  On Thanksgiving day, her grandpa was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer and as of today, they feel this will be his last day here on earth.  I have met her Grandpa Joe and know from Jenna and her dad, that he is a very Godly man.  He would read the Christmas story every year to the family before they opened up their gifts.  I don't think we will ever understand the pain and heart ache of losing a loved one, especially right before Christmas.  Only God can give the peace and grace we  have of knowing this earth is not our home and we are only passing through if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and that we can see our loved ones again someday.  I pray God's grace will give this family strength and peace during the many days and years ahead of sadness and grief.

Jenna's Grandparents-Jeda and Joe reading the Christmas story

Jenna and Bryan had to make an unexpected trip back home.  Jenna became sick the day they left for Missouri and she has continued to get worse.  They dropped Hudson off before going to the hospital and discovered her potassium was dangerously low.  She will be staying over night in the hospital trying to get her levels back up.  We are thankful that our baby Rhett is doing good and for God's protection over them both.
Hudson will be spending the night with us on this Christmas Eve and that is how I know everything will not be quiet for our evening.  This is an unexpected blessing for us to have Hudson and the joy he brings into our lives.  We made a last minute trip over to Wal-Mart on foot with Hudson.  This is something he loves to do.

GMa, GPa & Hudson 

One of Hudson's favorite things to do besides going to Wal-Mart is making a "hot" in the fireplace with GPa.  We promised him after his nap, this would take place.  After his long 3 hour nap, he did not forget the promise made to him.

GPa & Hudson watching the "hot" get bigger.

Hudson helped me make cookies tonight to get ready for Santa.  Or should I say Wal-Mart helped us. :)

As I was writing this blog post, we found out that Jenna's grandpa passed away tonight.  We never know the number of days that God has for us but He knows before we were ever born.  Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."  From knowing Jenna and her family, I'm sure Joe Kerby heard these words immediately; "Well done good and faithful servant".  Prayers and blessings to the Kerby family on this Christmas Eve.  The words my kids and I heard 19 years ago at the death of their dad, are true for Mr. Joe Kerby.  Mr. Kerby received  an early Christmas present and received a brand new body and gets to finally experience what he lived for and taught his children and grandchildren to live for. 

"Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."