LOVE begat LIFE!: December 2008

Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving we treked an 8 hour trip to MD to see Meg's family. We only had to stop, oh, 4 or 5 times to use the facilities. Don't worry Nick regulated the liquid intake, but it didn't really help. However, due to Washington DC traffic and liquid intake again, it took us 10 hours to return.

We spent Thanksgiving Day breakfast with Dad and the four of us (Aaron, Meg, Brandon, and Caitlyn - Nick is added by default and we still just say the "four of us". It is difficult to change a term that has been used for 20 years) , then dinner with Mom at Grandma's house. We shopped late in the day on Friday and had a ham Thanksgiving dinner with Dad on Saturday. Caitlyn helped Meg find some great maternity clothes. We are all in favor of the non-frumpy style.

We played cards all together. 'Tis the tradition of the "four of us" (again Nick added by default) and watched a few action movies. Caitlyn and Meg used to pull a hearty half vote against the boys, but now Nick tips the count. Sadly, Caitlyn and Meg had to join in some activities that were slightly of the male preference. It was a reminder of growing up, where we all had to play together. It often ended up being cowboys (Aaron and Brandon) married to mommies (Meg and Caitlyn) , who stayed in the cabin (playhouse) when the Indians (by imagination) attacked. Our baby (dolls) were always so terrified by the gunshots (made by Aaron and Brandon) and arrows (again by imagination) flying into the cabin (again the playhouse). We made mud pies for meals. Of course, the fare is scarce on the prairie. It was a wonderful life!

We are so blessed by the comradery that the Lord has provided the "four of us", even as we all are now in our twenties and live all over the place. Nick and I were attempting to tag how it became as such on our trip home. Here is what we came up with (1) God's grace and provision (2) the obstacles that have been presented with Aaron's disability (3) not living in a neighborhood, but rather having always to play together growing up (4) sacrifice - our parents only permitted so many activities outside the home per season. We had to compromise on who would be permittted to play ball, dance, or be on a team each season. It could not be all of us, unless we did the same activity. Our prayer is that this comradery continues through the remainder of our lives.