Our little cheerleader would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas! I can't believe its almost been a month since I last posted. We are staying so busy. Time flies when you're having fun right? Grace has grown so much! We go Monday for her 8 week appointment, even though she turned 9 weeks yesterday. Don't know how that happened! Anyway, I'm anxious to see how much she weighs now. She is such a joy. Her little personality is starting to show. She is the most content, happy baby. We have tried really hard to follow most of the Babywise principals and she has fallen into a sleeping and eating schedule that is allowing me to get things done during the day and for her to finally start stretching it out some at night. I'm so proud of her! This is the picture we put on our Christmas card--one of the first smiles we could get on camera. Now she is grinning ear to ear and even shrieking some when she smiles. She is so cheesy sometimes! We are so excited to share our precious gift with our family at Christmas.
As Christmas is QUICKLY approaching, I hope you all enjoy your time with your family and make many wonderful memories. But remember in all the busyness why we celebrate. I think this Christmas has been so different already in that my heart is in such a peaceful place. Adam and I were remembering back to last Christmas. Selfishly, we were slightly depressed. It was really hard for us to stay focused on Christ's birth and celebrating that, b/c we were so desperately wanting a baby of our own. I was thinking a/b Mary the other day and what it must have been like to not only carry a miracle child, but the Savior of the world. To know that God chose you to carry his Son. I pray that I understand what a responsibility I have as a parent to teach Grace who Jesus is. That one day she will understand what a big deal Christmas is. That it isn't about presents. I look forward to hearing her little voice sing "Happy Birthday dear Jesus...". (We make Jesus a birthday cake and do this with my family.) Our biggest discussion lately has been if we will do Santa. We don't want her to think Jesus isn't real when she finds out that Santa isn't. As a child my mind never went there....but just something to ponder. I just really want her to get it. And don't want her heart to be clouded by anything else. Anyway, As the new year approaches, I am thankful for my miracle child this year. I am thankful that the Lord took us through all that he did. Our faith, marriage, and testimony is bigger and stronger than ever. I am thankful that he healed my body and that I am still seeing evidence of that. I am thankful that he is challenging us to bless others because it causes us to examine our own blessings which blows me away b/c we don't deserve them. Lastly, I am thankful for His Grace in my life. I have so far to go as a follower of Christ, a wife, and a mother. But I know he will take me there, one day at a time. We love you all and hope you have a WONDERFUL Christmas. Take some time to thank God for sending His Son as a gift to redeem the world. He is ALL we need!
