A new year and I am exhausted already :-D

Wow!! Can you believe it is a new year?? When I think back on all God has done for us in 2008 I cannot imagine what He has in store for us in 2009.. I am so thankful to Him for everything He brought us through last year. WOW! A lot of changes.
This year is starting off to be a busy one. I just finished a week of subbing at Karyss' school. It was actually really fun but HATS OFF to all you working Mamas out there. I don't know how you keep up with everything! WOW! I am awed by you. By last night, I was DRAINED and EXHAUSTED.. Mentally more than physically. I guess when you go from talking to a two year old all day to being out with adults and teaching 10 year olds... it is a drain on the brain.. HAHA!
In just a few short days my parents will be here to visit on their way to Florida for 2 months. It's nice that we are actually on their way to Florida and they don't have to make a side trip to come see us. I always worry about them driving the long distance but I know that God is in control of all things and I try very hard to leave it with HIM.
The kids are doing great. Riley is not getting any taller really but he is gaining a little weight. He is just going to be a little guy and that's okay. He is saying a lot of words now and when I read he says letter names. Not always the right ones but at least he is associating ..
Karyss is still loving her school and I am so thankful for that. She is doing very well with all A's except penmanship but that is gradually improving so maybe we will get there eventually. I love her school and her teacher is quickly becoming a special friend. That's always a nice thing to have.
Dan is still enjoying his ministry here and we have seen some growth and potential in our youth group lately. YAY!
Well, this is starting to sound more like a Christmas letter than a blog post but I thought it was time to catch up with everyone.
I will try to keep the blog more updated this year. That is a goal but whether or not I will hold to it, who knows ??

Guess who came to our house last night???

Yep, Santa came to our house!! A sweet dear man in our church dresses up for our kids and comes to our house and brings gifts. He did this last year as well. I think he looks great! and Riley didn't cry at him YAY! Karyss was so excited and the gifts he brought for them were very thoughtful.. snacks that Riley could have even with all of his allergies so that was wonderful!
Maybe I am finally going to get into the Christmas spirit now.

Christmas at our house so far

Wow, it's been a long time between postings again. I guess this is likely to be my last posting for 2008 so I guess I should make it memorable huh?? The holidays are fast approaching (only 2 days left now.. hard to believe) and yet I am still not really in the holiday spirit.. It will just be our family alone on Christmas day this year and I am looking forward to the fun with the kids and all but still I can't quite get myself excited like I usually am. It has been a busy month since my last posting with Christmas parties and programs and a wonderful visit from my parents where we had Christmas with them since they can't be with us this year. My adorable Grandfather will be 91 in February and of course can't travel far so they always bring him to their house for Christmas so they can't be here with me and there with him which I understand. Dan's parents will be coming to visit us after Christmas and staying through the new year. His sister will be with them as well for part of that time. I think maybe I just need to see some snow.. Dan would have a fit if he saw this because he HATES snow but I would like just a few flurries of it to make it feel more Christmas-sy..
Anyway, I am hoping that 2009 is a great year for everyone who reads this and for our family and that in my life it is a year where I am drawn even closer to my Saviour who is the reason for everything.. May we all celebrate Him all year and every year.
Enjoy the pics!


Riley with his working goggles.. Mom and dad bought him a work bench for Christmas. It is ADORABLE Home depot tools and all

Karyss and Riley in their Christmas card pose

Dad opening his present from us.. a tie with the kids' picture on it

Kids in their Christmas jammies from Nanny and Grampy..

Mom with her present from us... a plate with the kids' picture on it

Our tree

Princess Karyss all ready for her close up

My little boy.. growing so fast

I am thankful

Soooo this has been quite a week here in the house of Basham and at our church. This was our annual missions conference week. We are a very small church and yet our church supports over 80 missionaries. It is a very missions-minded church and I love this time of year even though it is super busy. I love to hear from the young couples and families ( and sometimes not so young) who are preparing to go to the mission field. I am constantly in prayer that the Lord will show us if it is ever His will for us to go. We are willing but so far He has not called us to that ministry. We had some wonderful families this week and I was so touched by their burdens for the countries they are led to go. We had some going to Puerto Rico, some going to Taiwan, some going to Boston, some to California, and some to Italy. What a sweet spirit as they shared their hearts with us.
As I thought about these missionaries I wondered what God has in store for us.

But most on my mind this week has been something completely different. I have been just so thankful this week for my children and their good health. There was a time we were unsure of what Riley's life would be. Test results were inconclusive and we did not know for sure really until Riley started walking if he ever would walk. I have been following several stories of families with desperately ill children and it has made me so burdened for these families and desiring to be a help and minister to them in some way. I have no way to really do this so the best thing I can do is pray for them and that is what I have been doing.
Here are some websites I am following:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brianacolin
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/coleruotsala
http://www.colesfoundation.com/
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hayleyhunter
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sarahparker

Cole was a precious little boy who suffered with cancer for only a short time before God took him home in September. His family's story is amazing and a huge blessing it has been to me personally. I found him through Briana's website. Briana is a precious little 6 year old fighting cancer who came to our Vacation Bible School this year.. She couldn't be there the whole week because the first few days she was in the hospital getting chemo.. Bless her heart. I have actually found Hayley's site through Briana as well and Sarah I just found out about through Cole's site. It looks like the fight may be almost over for her. I find myself wondering, "why these little children Lord??" but I know it is not mine to reason out but I certainly can pray and I will continue to pray.

Hug your kids a little tighter today and don't forget to be thankful for them... even when they are driving you crazy... :-D

The Kids dressed up....

Well, I know there is a lot of controversy about Halloween but we do let our kids dress up. We take them to another town and let them walk around in the downtown square of this place where the businesses and stores give out candy. They looked so cute this year and I just had to share some pictures.. Here they are: