Christmas in Austin & Announcements

Saturday morning we took off to Austin with my parents to go have Christmas with my Aunt Susan. My great aunt Rosy and uncle Dwain were there from Gatesville as well. Matthew traveled well and we timed it right between his feedings to head down there. He enjoyed the company and meeting his relatives from Gatesville.
My aunt gave me the sweetest, most thoughtful gift. She gave me an opal ring that my was my Gran's. She said that when she realized that Matthew's birthstone was opal she said I just had to have that ring. I was humbled by her generosity. I am going to get it resized and will wear it proudly and covet its meaning.

Matthew hanging out, always practicing his grip on his Cowboys football

My Great Aunt Rosy and Uncle Dwain from Gatesville. Thanks for coming and meeting Matthew.

Me and Dad in our matching crowns. My sister in law, Samantha, brought this tradition to our family. Each year at any holiday we have "crackers" at our table. You pull them apart and they pop and you get a small prize, some jokes, and a crown. At any family dinner around the holidays you'll find the Graves family sporting their crowns. Love my daddy.

Gran and Pops loving on Matthew. They are both so suckered and happy about having their grandson. It is cool to watch them with him. He loves being with them to. He smiled at his Gran the other day and I think it made her day, week, year, life.

We had a great time visiting with family and as you can see the grandparents really love seeing Matthew anytime they can.Thanks Aunt Susan for hosting us, and for making me some special chicken for my diet.  It is great that they are involved and I love seeing them love on Matthew. I know that I was raised the best way possible and was, and still am, surrounded by love and I trust Matthew will know that same love, plus a little spoiling, from his Gran and Pops.

Also, today, I was approved to return to my job part-time. I'm REALLY excited about it, though I do wish I could stay at home full time. I am grateful for the opportunity to be at home with Matthew some rather than none at all during the week. We have worked to arrange our lives so that we can make this work and I'm excited. I will work Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and will be off the rest of the week. David and I are looking at this as a transition time to see if I want to continue to be at work or if I truly have the desire to be home with Matthew full time. We will give it time and then work to pursue whatever decision is in Gods will. I have a hard time wanting Matthew to be in day care for many reasons, mainly because he doesn't need alot of socialization right now, but would later when he was at least 2 years old. And I want to be there for his "firsts" and he's growing and changing so much right now I want to experience all that with him.

We will see what unfolds in the future. I will have a hard time getting back to work as I feel as though my passions have been moved to my son and not that I don't like what I do I just want to pursue and be where my passions lie. God knows what the future holds and we will walk in His ways. I am excited about my time at home now and part-time wiht Matthew.