Caleb quotes and anecdotes...

Two is a wonderful age! Emerging independence coupled with developing communication skills sometimes produces the most laughable, memorable moments. The other day, I was emphasizing to Caleb the importance of obeying the first time he's told to do something. He responded well throughout the day, and when his Daddy got home and asked him, "What did you do today, Caleb?" he responded enthusiastically, "I obeyed for the last time!"
Then a few days ago, after he'd been disciplined, he was sitting with us and was very quiet as he reflected on what had happened. Then with utmost humility and sincerity, he said "It’s important to disobey Daddy.”
One of Caleb's favorite treats on rainy winter days is playing in the Chic-fil-A play place. Until this past week, he'd not yet conquered his fear of going down the big curving tunnel slide. So a curly-headed little girl, about three, took it upon herself to "help" Caleb overcome. They came down together a couple of times, and I excitedly cheered him on for his bravery. Then she came down without him, but was tightly clutching a little pair of blue jeans. About that time I hear a tentative Caleb say, "Mommy?" as I see his sock feet, bare legs, and diaper bottom descend the steps. It didn't take long to figure out that she'd been quite serious about "helping" him down the slide! It made quite an impression on Caleb - the next time we went to Chic-fil-A, he said, "I'm going to play with new friends, and the girl is going to take my pants off!"

Twenty-something...

Sunday, January 21st, marked the completion of another year of my (Gracy's) life. It was sort of a quiet birthday, since David was out of town on a business trip. But he arrived home that evening - an excellent gift - and planned a special celebration for later in the week. So on Friday evening, he took me to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants - the Cheesecake Factory in Atlanta! - and we had a great time, as always.
We celebrated with my family (parents, brothers, and their wives) last night at a favorite Italian place in Athens, complete with gifts and a free dessert. Caleb felt the excitement of the occasion, and with an exuberance that only comes straight from the heart of a child, he announced, "IT'S OUR BIRTHDAY!!!" It was fun to be with people I love, and I am reminded how very full and beautiful my life has been as I reflect on my twenty-something years on this earth.

A glimpse of what's to come...

Recently, we had the pleasure of meeting the seventh-born of our good friends, Brad and Carolyn Atkinson - a beautiful girl. She was sleeping soundly when we arrived to visit. Caleb was especially fascinated with the little bundle, since we've been talking alot about the baby that's in Mommy's belly right now. A couple of books about babies and becoming a big brother have helped him understand some of the mysteries that lie ahead. He is getting really excited to meet his new sister, and it was a neat opportunity for him to see what she'll be like when she comes out!

I'm a working man!

On a recent Saturday, I (David) took Caleb to see Pop (Gracy's dad) at the sawmill he owns. Caleb really enjoyed "working" with Pop on the Bobcat and the Taylor Forklift - or or the "Tiger" as Caleb calls it. Caleb takes his work seriously; he was quite focused as he "helped" Pop maneuver the big machinery. Ever since, he regularly asks, "Can I go to work with Pop at the sawmill?"

Until we meet again...

Last Friday night, January 12th, we made an emergency trip to Indianapolis, IN. My grandfather (mom's dad), Bob Dedrick, was in the hospital and the doctors weren't sure if he would make it through the night. After arriving around 2AM, we spent a couple of hours with Grandpa before catching a little sleep at the Red Roof Inn. Caleb woke us up at normal time (7:30 AM) and we headed back to the hospital after breakfast.
We spent Saturday and Sunday at the hospital with Grandpa and other family members who had come to be with him in his last few days. Monday morning we headed back for Georgia, and Grandpa passed on Monday night about 10:30 PM.
It was a sad but very special time. We sang [Grandpa loved old spiritual songs]. We laughed. We cried. Grandpa enjoyed the company and seemed at peace. He exhibited a dying grace that I one day hope to emulate.

Bondy Family Christmas

The Saturday before Christmas, we drove up to North Carolina for a week's stay with my (David's) parents. My Dad took a whole week off work so he could be with us while we were there. My sister Jenny, her husband Harold, and my neice Kara, were also there with us on Christmas. The only member of my immediate family that couldn't be there was my brother Josh, who is serving with the Marines in Korea. But we got to talk with him on Christmas morning and shared over the phone our family tradition of reading the Christmas story together. It was a neat time.
Needless to say, Caleb loved being with family for six straight days. We ate, played games, laughed alot, and spent alot of quality time together. Playing with "Garney" and "Grandpa", trips to the park, visits with Great Grandma Bondy, a trip to see Uncle Harold's horses, and lots of play time with cousin Kara made Caleb's time in North Carolina very special. It was a great visit for all of us--one of the best we've ever had.

Holder Family Christmas

Early Christmas continued as we celebrated with my (Gracy's) family at my parents' house on Friday afternoon. We laughed alot as we played games, talked, and opened gifts. It was fun hearing about what Christmas was like for my mom and her family growing up in Illinois. My Uncle Jerry and Aunt Bess were there, so they shared in the story telling. In honor of my Grandma Harper (Mom's mom), mom cooked a meal that was one of Grandma's holiday specialties and one of our all-time favorites. It was very nostaligic for our family to remember Grandma and precious times past.
Caleb, of course, had a blast. He loves spending time with his grandparents and aunts and uncles. And the fact that he got to open more presents was almost too much excitement! His Aunt Polly and Aunt Ansley (my brothers' wives) received porch swings, and Caleb thought they made great living room furniture!

A great family Christmas!

Christmas for our family came on December 22nd this year as we decided to celebrate with Caleb before we left for North Carolina, rather than taking our family gifts with us. So Friday morning, we shared a special time with each other as we read the Christmas story and enjoyed giving gifts to each other in honor of the greatest gift of all. Caleb loved opening everything, of course! He was so thorough, patiently tearing every single little bit of the wrapping paper off before he opened and played with his presents. It was great to have a special time with our family, relaxing and enjoying Caleb as he enjoyed his new things and remembering our own childhood Christmases. We'd had pouring rain and nasty weather the night before, so we hadn't yet hung the swing we got for Caleb. But he had fun rocking in it in the living room as Mommy pretended to "push" him. (There's usually no playing problem that a little imagination can't solve!) David built Caleb a helicoptor out of the new fiddlestix, and I'm not sure who enjoyed playing with the fiddlestix more--Daddy or Caleb! But probably Caleb's favorite gift was a play school bus, because now he can be like Daddy as he pushes the bus and gives the "soodents" a ride!