Three Santas in a Tub

The fun did not stop even when it was time to clean up at the end of the day! Yes, Mimi found a way to make a photo op of scrub time!

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."--Psalm 51:10

Christmas Cousin Fest in Mississippi

The Hampton/Hays/Louys crew gathered in Mississippi for some play time last weekend and paused to let Mimi take pictures. Elliot, Gavin, Maddy, and Joshua spent time playing in the woods at "Camp Papa Bob," jumped on the neighbors' trampoline, chased dogs in the yard, played in the sandbox, swung on the swings, and cuddled on the couch in front of The Incredibles.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." --Psalm 136:1

The Brothers

Elliot made this shirt at school. If you look closely, you will see that Rudolph's body is Elliot's foot, and his antlers are his hands. Gavin is a proud brother!

"The earth is filled with your love, Lord!" --Psalm 119:64

Sunday with the Hamptons

The boys got to open their first Christmas gifts today with permission from Aunt Rita, the sender. You can see their giddy faces above. It was a gorgeous day here in sunny Nashville, so we wore everyone out in the cul-de-sac riding bikes and scooters and returned for some couch time with Daddy.

When I loaded pictures on the computer, I was surprised to find that "someone" had gotten a hold of the camera. It made me smile to see the sweet picture he took of the nativity set. They enjoy adding their Star Wars figures and other action heroes to the nativity scene because as they explained, "They all want to see Baby Jesus, Mama!"

"She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them."
Luke 2:7

Christmas is Upon Us

For the last four years, our Christmas decorations have been in a storage unit in San Diego, California. For that reason we didn't find it necessary to get a full-size tree. We bought a 3-foot, pre-lit tree from Walmart, which was perfect for us. The boys would decorate it, undecorate it, redecorate it, move it from room to room. This year we couldn't resist the tree sale at church with good-smelling trees brought in from North Carolina. We had a festive evening at home as the boys decorated (yes, the bottom four feet of the tree) while George and I sipped our warm apple cider. We are enjoying the Christmas season. Happy birthday, Jesus!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6

Breakfast with Santa at Church

Merry Christmas to all! We enjoyed special time with a special visitor at church this morning. THE Santa (even had a really cool beard!) made an appearance and was eager to hear what little people wanted under the tree on Christmas morning. Elliot explained that he wanted three things (after all, Jesus got three things on his birthday): a Star Wars man, Legos, and Trios. Gavin explained to Santa that he has been a good boy and wants a Star Wars man. They all enjoyed the meeting...until it was over...Gavin was rather upset that he told Santa he wanted a Star Wars man yet left empty-handed! Such frustration! George explained that it was a time to place requests, not have orders filled! Only 21 days to go, Gavin! Happy birthday, Baby Jesus!

"For God loved the world so much, that He gave His one and only son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Our First Nashville Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all! We have so much to thank our God for. As the song goes, "He is so good. He's so good to me!"

Although we lived in Nashville about five years ago, this was our first Thanksgiving here with both Elliot and Gavin. We had a fun feast and got a kick out of Gavin's newfound love of sweet potato casserole (recipe = sweet potatoes + brown sugar + butter + marshmallows). Elliot was excited about getting as entire drumstick for himself and eating like a caveman. When I proposed that we "go around the table" to say what we are thankful for, I became more aware of my wording when Gavin got out of his chair and proceeded to "go around the table" while he shared his thanks! Fun times! We wrapped the day up with a walk to a nearby playground to run off some sweet potato casserole!

An Autumn Full of Color

The Hampton family has loved being in Nashville for autumn this year. California palm trees just don't bow to the beauty of fall! We have so many reasons to be thankful. "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is sooooo good! His loves endures FOREVER!" Psalm 107:1

Summer Wraps Up for the Hamptons

Best advice for those thinking about moving? Move in the weekend the neighborhood pool opens. We know everyone here because of our summer days poolside! It has been a super summer for the Hampton crew. We were able to spend time with Mississippi family, Ohio family, and Michigan family. We have been to the Nashville Zoo, waded through the creek at the Ag Center, played on the beach at Percy Priest Lake, developed a love for Bounce U and cheered on the Sounds at our first local baseball game. Our hunt for the right church for our family has taken us to seven different congregations in the area. Fall is now upon us, and Elliot is excited about his final year of preschool. Gavin is equally thrilled about his Mondays at Moms' Day Out (The Mom is also doing cartwheels about this upcoming event!) To top it all off, Elliot made his debut as an athlete yesterday on the soccer field performing drills to determine his team placement. I am a soccer mom! Who knows what is next for the Hampton fam?

Boys on the Beach and in a Bucket

Bound for Music City

Wow! Three and a half years we have spent in the beautiful village of La Jolla, California. Now we find ourselves packing and heading to Nashville, Tennessee. It pains me to know that my boys will not remember this experience. Elliot will think he remembers, but it will be only photos that recreate the life he had here. Last week I encouraged him to get ready to go watch the sunset. "I want to play blocks," he declared.

"Not now. Pretty soon we won't be watching the sunset over the ocean, and we want to take advantage of it."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because we are moving to Tennessee," I explained.

"Don't they have an ocean there for sunsets?" he asked.

"No," to which he explained he decided he didn't want to go. It took the reassurance of the neighborhood pool and the promise of a "wrestle room" to convince him it was still a good idea to go.

Jesus, please pave the way for us in Nashville. Direct us to the right church, school, and friends. Place people in the lives of our boys who will fertilize the seeds of faith planted in their little hearts. As Elliot told me the other day, Jesus "fixed up his heart," and George and I want that little heart to continue to grow in his love of Jesus. Amen.