Family and Time

This weekend our girls all came home for a family picture we wanted to have done to send out in Christmas cards. It took alot of planning just to get a date that we could all come together and smile for the camera. Finally with some finageling(I dont know if that is spelled right) we came up with November 10th. Tom and I planned our meals and arranged times for friends who haven't seen Olivia to come and see her. It was a glorious time. The pictures went well and pretty quick and painless. They turned out good and we enjoyed our time together as a family. More and more I realize how much that time means to us as only Alisha lives at home, and we basically need an appointment with her as she stays so busy. It is so sweet to have our girls hang out and talk and tease each other and encourage each other. They tease Andrew as though he has been a part of the family forever. He truly is the other half of Sheila. We are entertained now by just watching and playing with Olivia. We don't even need TV! When talking about Christmas and what we want, the only thing Tom and I could ask for and truly mean it, was that we just be able to all be together. I love being with my kids and with our sweet,adorable Olivia. Time truly is a gift. And putting that in a spiritual perspective.... are we giving our Lord the gift of our time. He wants to spend time with us. There is nothing else He would rather have.