Getting Ready for Christmas

A lot has happened since the last post. Griffin is progressively getting better although it is slow going. We saw the changing of the guard, so to speak, with Mollie and I taking on full-time child/house responsibilities. Don't get me wrong, we love having help and visitors, but it was nice to be our own little family unit again. I will go into further detail as the pictures tell the story.

The Christmas Season was in full swing shortly after Thanksgiving. There was lots of house cleaning and storage organization (this can be difficult with a 1.5 and 4 year old). We already have the Reinhardt's stockings up; they arrive in Georgia on the 21st.

A tree, by golly, a tree. We could not have a live tree this year do to Griffin's condition. We are grateful that we have some gracious friends who were generous enough to let us borrow a fake tree; although I do miss that real tree smell.

Here is Griffin with his wish list. He seems determined to collect all the "Take Along Thomas" toys. For two weeks he got this paper out and told us which trains he has and which ones he does not have. It is kind of funny because he plays with them a couple times a week; if that much. I think he just likes the idea of having all the different trains on his list.

Here is one of our advent calenders. They both have fun with our two different advent calenders.

Big News! We are now officially a mini-van driving family. After a month of riding a roller-coaster of "if this will work", "what car can we get," and "how will we make this work," we finally got the right mini-van.

It is funny, Mollie prayed for a mini-van over a year ago and here it is. I thought it was a silly thing to pray for because I knew we could not afford it. It is wonderful how generous God can be and how funny God is in the way He works. Many people contributed in different ways to make the Billings' a mini-van driving family.

Olive's first look at the van on the lot.

I think there is a smile under that mask.

Olive loves her stuffed animal wrestling time.

Here is Griffin at Thanksgiving. I really don't recall exactly what he is doing; being silly I guess. I wish I took more pictures. My parents, Kathy & Dave, and my Aunt Penny, who came down from Illinois, were all here. With family all over the country it unusual to have so many guests in our house on Thanksgiving. As is, I only have a couple strange pictures of the kids. Oh well.

Olive eating "stuffing" on Thanksgiving.

Family outside play time.

Dada & Mama a.k.a Josh & Mollie.

The girls.

Josh and the kids.

Olive loves being outside. She is signing for "more."

Griffin's Fourth Birthday & More

Griffin's first look at his presents and the decorations.

His look of approval.

Opening presents with Mama.

Sitting on one of his favorite floor puzzles.

A shot of the "Thomas" themed decor.

Happy opening presents.

With Daddy opening presents.

Discussing a present with Grandma Kathy.

O boy, a new box for the dinosaurs.

Chef Griffin and his assistants decorate a cake.

"...Happy Birthday dear Griffin..."

He successfully blew-out the candles.

Don't forget about OJ.

Here is patented goofy smile.

Home at last, the siblings have fun together.


She loves sliding with her Grandma.

What was that.

Cutie.

Wrestling with Grampy.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

We hope everyone has a great holiday.

Prior to the Hospital and Halloween Following

To say a lot has happened since the previous post would be an enormous understatement. We had one final hurrah, as a family, prior to Griffin's hospitalization for his Bone Marrow Transplant. We went to an apple orchard in Elijay GA, were we had a lot of fun pictured below.

Griffin was in the Hospital for 5 weeks during which time Mollie and I switched places twice a week and Griffin never got to see Olive. It was a crazy time of driving and dividing time between Watkinsville and Atlanta. During that time Grandma Cyndi had been helping us a lot. Grandpa John, a.k.a Bapa, also came to visit.

Here is Olive having fun being the center of attention.

When we told Griffin we could move to the "Hotel," a.k.a. the Ronald McDonald House, He was very excited.

Here we are leaving. This was the first time Griffin left the BMT Unit in 5 weeks.

The next day Olive and Griffin were united and Griffin got to see his sister walk for the first time. They were both very happy.

We were so blessed/happy that they got to be together in time for Halloween. It was great.


Olive After dressing had to have a snack. Strangely enough, she has gotten a little more picky lately. Here she is after a bath with Grandma Cyndi; check out that belly!

I will leave you all with a contented Griffin.

Thank you all for your support and love.

JB-