Downing Days: January 2006

Monday, January 30, 2006

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Before Bed

Matthew and his Daddy played with Tigger the other night. Matthew insisted on carrying it himself. Keep in mind, you gotta hold your mouth right in order to carry Tigger effectively.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

I was changing a poopie diaper the other day, and as I opened it I said "wow!". I then heard an echo!! Matthew's new word is "wow"! This morning he threw a toy across the car, and said wow! It is so funny!

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Thank you Robert and Robert

A DRUM KIT - are they out to get me or what??

Of course Matthew loves it...I am doomed.

Getting Involved

I am getting involved in the goings on in Clarksdale. I am a provisional member of Junior Auxiliary. This is a service organization and not a sorority - I assure you this is true, because I have not been hazed yet! I am also a member of a Circle Group within our church. It is sort of like a women's community group or small group. It meets once a month. I attended my first meeting Monday morning, and I really enjoyed it. I am also attending a women's Bible study every Wednesday morning. We are studying 1 Peter. Today was the first meeting of the new year - I really think this is going to be a wonderful thing for me to do. Plus, they have a nursery! Matthew was in the nursery Monday morning and again this morning. He actually took a nap both days!! I was flabbergasted. Since moving here I wanted to do this Bible study, but I was so worried about Matthew missing his morning nap. I finally let go of my anxiety, joined the Bible study, and God showed me that I didn't need to be anxious about it at all! Praise God for his blessings!

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

It was the most wonderful time of the year and a big, huge heartfelt THANK YOU to our families for making it so wonderful!

Our Christmas celebrations began in Jackson with the Johnsons. MaMa, Nancy, Rinnie, Patrick, and his girlfriend, Dinah, and Precious and Papa were all there with bells on. MaMa pulled out the fine china, and Nancy made a delicious beef wellington. It was a lovely and fun evening!

Next we headed to Natchez, Mississippi for Christmas with Mike and Joni. We stayed at the Briars Bed and Breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed Christmas around their beautiful tree. We loved catching up with Mike and Joni and laughing at Mike as he made Matthew laugh!! Thank you Mike and Joni for a perfect Christmas!

Home For Christmas!! Christmas at home was magical! Precious, Papa and Nam pulled out all the stops this year. Santa Claus even dropped by Christmas Eve! Matthew had a great Christmas morning - he reacted perfectly to every gift much to our delight. Now, let me explain how Santa does Christmas for the Downings and the Neals. Santa only brings three gifts for each child. Mary Margaret appropriately named the concept "the Magi." This year Santa brought Matthew the Leap Frog Learning Playground, a bin full of different kinds of balls, and a Radio Flyer Rocket. He loved them all!!

Tuesday after Christmas we traveled to McDonough, GA for Christmas with Carol, Maxine, and Glyn. Matthew racked up! He had so much fun playing with every gift and putting his "lick on" (as Uncle Glyn says) everything within his reach. His Grammy spoiled all of us rotten with a traditional English Turkey Roast Dinner. Then, Thursday afternoon we were treated with a visit from Steve's high school friend, Eric Bertelson, and his family. We all loved seeing the kids and meeting their fourth addition, Mindy! We had a great Christmas in McDonough - Thank you for all of your hard work, Carol!

Steve and I rang in the New Year at the Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball while Matthew slept under Gussie Mae's care. Happy New Year Everybody!!

Johnson Family Christmas Photos

Matthew and MaMa got along fabulously well. She gave Matthew a stocking she cross-stitched herself! It was the stocking in our Christmas card picture.