Christmas Day!

So Jed had sent a package about a week ago and told me I couldn't open it until Christmas morning....that was torture.  Suzie had to keep me honest but the duct tape helped too.  haha!
Anyway, Christmas eve came and I was so excited to talk with Jed on Christmas day that sleep did not come easy...in fact, I don't think I slept at all.  I just kept thinking about what I wanted to ask him.  CRAZY!  Oh well....it's a Mom thing.

At about 7:30, I heard a strange noise coming from the other room.  It sounded like a remote control car or something.  Well you see Jake decided that he would use his spy car to check out the goods.  He left the car upstairs and then used the remote from downstairs to maneuver the car to see the presents.  Well since he kept running into things....like walls- I heard him.  I have to give him points though- that was pretty clever.  At least he still plays with one previous Christmas toy! 
After we read the letter from Santa it was time to open the gifts.

The package from Jed was the first to be opened and the flood gates were opened!  Tears of joy and happiness as I read the inside of the front cover from a Bible that was to be given to Cameron.  He had marked all of his favorite stories from the Bible and told Cameron that he loved him.  He had written on a picture of Christ for Cooper.  "He lives".  A sketch book of pictures he had drawn of the stories of the scriptures was also Coopers.  Jed had also written a story for Ashley and enclosed some picture manuals and a dvd. He also had a copy of a picture taken by another missionary of a Baptist billboard that said:  "Don't pray about the Book of Mormon....That's how they get you".   On the back he wrote:  Can you believe that?


 He sent 4 bottles of a drink called "Cheerwine".  Excellent sparking cherry coke flavored drink.  I guess the Carolina's are famous for it.  Hopefully he will send more soon.
Then he sent Curt a special gift....a cool hat that when we talked with him said "it will keep your big head warm"!  Man I miss Jed and his humor! 

Don't you love the duct tape!!!!

Here is a picture of Curt and his cool hat!!!!

Jed finally called home at 2:30.  Wow what an amazing thing to hear his voice!  He sounded so good and happy!  To hear him laugh and for him to make us all laugh was awesome!  He said, "Oh Mom I didn't have a chance to tell you what I wanted for Christmas this year but I will tell you now so that maybe you can get it for me for my birthday or next Christmas....I want a Tom Tom GPS with the voice of  Mr. T on it."  Bahahahah!!!!   Ok now I really miss Jed!  I sent him a couple of sweaters and a sweater vest that he was happy about and the only other item requested was a pair of warmer gloves.  Now that one I can handle!  We continued to talk for about 40 minutes which was the time limit set so our goodbyes were said and all the "I love you's" too and it was over.  The peace that I felt knowing he was happy and well was exactly what I needed.  The thought of not talking with him again until Mother's Day....well that is another thing.