Twas the night before Christmas in the Stratton Home
Where children, and parents, waited for Santa to come



When what to their wondering eyes should appear
But presents and gifts brought by Santa and his Reindeer



The stockings were placed in the chairs with care
In hopes of preventing broken items in there





What a wondrous sight for us to see
How generous that Saint Nicholas can be

Now to bed we must go so we may rest
For Christmas morning will truly be best

As morning arose, some children did not
And waiting on one made the fits non stop

But at last we could leave the room to see
What Santa had left for us underneath the tree





Zhu Zhu pets, dolls, a monkey for one
Balls and bats just to name some

A gift I must mention was not a toy
But a blanket to keep this boy full of joy




Now after the presents have all opened been
It's time to grab our stockings and take a look within




Candies and treats to our hearts desire
Of these sweets we hope to never tire



What a wonderful morning, what a mess to clean up
But it's now off to grandma's to share what we got





Now three sleepy boys a nap they must take
before all three on the naughty list make



Now sadly to work Daddy must go
Just look at that fog! Sweetie please take it slow



What a fun evening everyone spent
With grandpa's and grandma's, uncles and aunts

Now it is bedtime and we lovingly wait
For Daddy's return so to home he can take




What a wonderful Morning, what a wonderful day
What wonderful Presents Christmas brought our way






Happy Christmas to all who we love and miss
With love from us all and from the boys a big kiss

Happy Birthday Travis!

His birthday is actually tomorrow, but we decided to visit today. This is who baby M is partly named after- his middle name. He's my mom's little boy from her first marriage. He left this world when he was only 20 months old- it was before my Mom even met my Dad. We stopped by to wish him a Happy Birthday, and to get some pictures of Baby M by his uncles grave.





Craig found this katydid. The boys had fun playing with it- don't worry it survived.




Happy Birthday dear brother! I look forward to meeting you one day.

Dear Mother how I love thee
and wish that I could stay
I wish those tears weren't falling
because I go away

My father calls me home now
to do his work up there
but I promise to be with you
whenever time can spare

I know that you can't see me
or hold me close at heart
I know that makes things harder
while we are a part

But so you will not miss me
so much, this I pray
I'll bless your life with little boys
I'll send them all your way

And as you look upon them
I pray you'll think of me
and all the wonders I am doing
while I wait for thee

Hold me in you heart dear mother
for we know one day
you'll raise me from the babe I was
because I'm yours eternally

My mom has 7 grandsons now. I thought this was a nice way to look at our blessing of boys.

To My Boys

You and I are brothers
Always through and through
We came to Earth together
But just who followed who

Well, while we were in Heaven
We never were a part
We worked and played together
Two minds but just one heart

Of you I kept watch over
Kept you safe from harm
But then one day it happened
I was to leave you all alone

I turned to our dear Father
I begged to let me stay
I cannot leave my brother
And go so far away

“But my dear child
You have no need to fear
Just give it awhile
You’ll be brothers within years”

“No,” I cried
“I simply cannot go
Not without my brother
He simply needs me so”

Our Father smiled
Then he sat and thought
He turned to me and whispered
“Here is what I’ve got

“I was only planning to send one
But now there must be two
So in order for that to happen
Here is what you need do

“Share with your dear brother
Give him part of you
Share with him all you have
Split it all in two

“You’ll share with him forever
Your looks, your laughs, your smile
He’ll be a special part of you
Another Heavenly child

“And when you look upon his face
You will always know
That he is the dear brother
That you could not let go

He’ll hold that piece forever
Forever, that one part
Two minds to live together
But always just one heart”