An update on our AdSense experiement...AdSense is the Google-based tool that you see on the top and, now, the bottom of our blog that is designed to earn us a free lunch!

Well, we have had the ads up for over 10 months and have earned...$6.32! Almost enough for a lunch; however, they don't pay out until you have accumulated $100. I knew there was a catch.

So, if you are interested in an advertisement or in using the new Google search engine link on the bottom of our blog, go for it! Just thought that you'd like to know.

Oh, and new pictures are on Flickr of our precious daughters, too!

Merry Christmas to all!

As you know, 2006 has been all about change for the Glisson family. We had heard that life flies by when children are born, but we had no idea what they were talking about until now. The most important elements of life have not changed - faithful service, family, church friends, home, and experiencing the new wonders of life through the eyes of our children - but the advance of time has increased dramatically.

In the past, our end of the year wrap-up letters and emails contain stories of trips to far away places, personal accomplishments or career changes, and all of the stuff that goes along with life. In 2006, we experienced all of those things and more with two precious daughters in-tow! Travels have included a springbreak week in Orlando with Rebekah's family (the girls' first time on an airplane), Kirksville for Miranda's (Rebekah's sister) graduation , Gulf Shores, and trips to St. Louis for July 4th week, Labor Day (Memorial Service for Gramma Gin), and Thanksgiving week, among others.

If you look back at our January blog entries, you will see two chubby babies, who are not yet sitting up; playing in their Exersaucer or with Mr. Star; taking a bath in the sink tub; and drinking formula out of a bottle. Notice - no crawling, walking, talking, etc. Skip to August/September and watch videos of dancing, walking, spinning, sitting in our laps and reading books, giving up the bottle feedings for sippy cups and teethy smiles! And you can start to see the changes.

Both of the girls don't back down from a challenge and become more curious everyday - climbing on furniture, exploring every drawer and door in the house, and being sisters. Yes, in the past few weeks, we have noticed not only the fighting, but the playing together, sharing, and signs of affection that every parent hopes to encourage. Abigail loves to read books outloud, although we can't tell what she is saying, yet. Sydney is taking to music and the comprehensible pronunciation of certain words. Every day is astounding.

Honestly, Brad and Rebekah are just trying to keep up. Rebekah added a new dimension to her fulltime Mom role with two days at her former employer, and Brad is able to spend more time with his daughters as Mr. Mom for a few hours on those two days. Being a 4 person family in this world is not easy, but we have been blessed beyond measure. We hope to see you on a trail at Radnor Lake, at Lifegroup, at church, or at the store during 2007 to share even more.

We pray that you, too, will be blessed beyond what you can imagine in the new year!

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We captured a few minutes of Sydney's and Abigail's reactions to our Christmas Tree--this is just a snippet. The first impression was good, although they still do not like the needles sticking them.

A glimpse into the world of Mr. Mom for a day....peacefully reading books with classical Christmas music in the background....
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YEA, RIGHT! The girls were still sick enough today (cough, nose junk) to stay home from "school" with Daddy! (Yes, Daddy is watching his Sick Time very closely, now) Sydney did not take a very long nap and wanted to be close to Daddy--so we prepared supper together. It turned out to be a great day!

Check what I said last night...we witnessed Abigail climb up onto the glider this morning (without assistance--i.e. stepping on the Little People's farmhouse like we have seen before). We all clapped for her, and she clapped for herself. I could not have ever imagined this day 17 month ago! God has blessed us with two healthy, happy, curious, and imaginative daughters!

Also, I forgot to mention the new pictures on Flickr from the Christmas Breakfast and playtime with Mama.

Sydney and Abigail were not especially interested in or excited about Santa this year. We were happy they were not scared of the big guy like so many of their peers--they may not be afraid of much at all, which brings me to my next point.

WE HAVE CLIMBERS! Actually, a climber--Sydney! She has figured out how to hike up her leg for leverage and push/pull her way onto the couch and the glider in the sunroom. She has taken her share of falls since Friday morning, but this weekend she has shown that she knows the best way to get down--backwards. We try to remind her to sit on the furniture--the one big fall off of the glider should be a good reminder, too. Abigail has tryed the climbing but doesn't have the motivation, yet. The sickness that has overtaken our house in the past week could be the reason for her lack of motivation. I am sure that Abigail will not be far behind.

We have had a busier than normal household this past week with Rebekah going back to work for a couple of days per week. Sydney and Abigail have taken to Mother's Day Out well, as we had predicted, but the adjustment for Mama and Daddy may be a while--Mama working hard in a different way, and Daddy watching the rugrats for a few hours on those two days.

Also, the girls had their 18 month doctor's visit this past week. All is well, except for the current colds. Sydney is now 22 pounds 3 ounces (25th %), and Abigail is now 22 pounds 7 ounces (30th %). The girls were virtually the same height and around the 50th percentile.