The Combs Krewe

Ever since I put the gifts under the tree Jathan has been begging and pleading anxiously awaiting the day that we would open gifts. I tried to tie in our wait with our advent studies and talk to him about how God promised a Savior and the world anxiously awaited His coming. I don't know if any of it sunk in or not but his attitude did dramatically improve over those last days of waiting. I decided that Tuesday of this week was the day. Jackie would be off work and it would be just a couple of days before we'd leave for Alabama so we could get up in the morning and pretend it was Christmas morning, open presents in our pajamas, and play all day. I told Jathan the night before--big mistake! He couldn't hardly sleep! When he got us up that morning, we told him we'd open gifts after breakfast. "I'm just going to sit here and look at the presents ALL DAY," he said. Jackie cooked a big breakfast for us. Then we all sat down to eat. Ryland practical

Tonight we went on the 2nd Annual Combs Family Trip to Lafreniere Park to check out the Christmas lights! It was a wonderfully cool night after a series of rather warm ones. I was glad that it actually felt like the appropriate season!   Keeleigh's friend Nadia went with us. They were nuts cracking us up all night! Piper enjoyed the lights, too. When I took this picture she was just smiling her head off squealing. Isn't her little red nose the cutest? Thank goodness for hot chocolate and popcorn to warm us up! Yes, the popcorn was so delicious that Jathan and Ryland couldn't even pause for this picture, ha ha! Yep, had to get a photo of Jackie checking his phone. It's his love and taking pictures obsessively is mine. These are the wonderful things we remember all through our lives!

Last night our home school group was treated to a fabulous party by an anonymous donor with a really big heart. First we met at the cafeteria for pizza and cupcakes (and fruit and veggies for those so inclined). While we were there the president of the seminary spoke explaining that a certain Christian man threw this party for everyone along with a night out at Celebration in the Oaks at City Park which would include ice skating for everyone! That wasn't all, however, this anonymous donor also set up a $100,000 endowment fund for our home school group! On Christmas morning this donor's wife will open up a present from her husband and inside will be a scrapbook chronicling our night--his gift to us in her honor. I'm so thankful for generous hearts who love our Lord! Check out our pictures! Here Jathan and Ryland pose at the cafeteria after enjoying their pizza and cupcakes. Ryland took that candy cane for all it was worth, ha ha! I tried to get them to sing but Ryla