Christmas 08

Good times. Christmas eve was spent at gma & gpa w's house. Lots of yummy food and festivities. We opened some presents and then came home to wait for the big man in red. This was the first Christmas in our nine year history that was spent at home - our home. We have always traveled to family, which is so much fun. But this year was special. We slept in our own beds and started our own traditions. I loved it. I am always so overwhelmed to wake up on Christmas morning and realize how blessed my life is. I married a pretty great guy and have been given two miraculous little boys. It's a good feeling. Eli and Blake were so excited to go downstairs and see if Santa really came. He did. How sweet it is when your kids are still too young to have expectations and are happy with everything - I need to enjoy that while it lasts. Eli found that Santa listened to his plea for "Thomas watch out for the bridge". Which isn't really the name, so Santa had to do some digging to figure out what it meant. Blake saw his new bike, cooking set and rocking chair (I know what 2 year-old wants a rocking chair - mine.) Fun morning. We had a Christmas feast at our house in the afternoon and part of Ben's family came to share. All-in-all a good day. I must say that I give simplified Christmases two thumbs up!

christmas eve

gma & gpa w with 6 of 10 grandkids

christmas morning

reaction to seeing thomas watch out for the bridge

the above mentioned toy

more play food - whoopee

teaching little brother to ride his first big boy bike

cooking m&m soup

blake's version of making cookies - all by himself

peace on earth, goodwill toward brothers

Thinking...

I have been thinking today about Christmas, the Savior, Heavenly Father, adoption and birth mothers. Random, you say? I think not. The link is actually very easy to make.

First I want to mention this friend who got some horrid news yesterday regarding her baby. And this girl who isn't actually my friend, but my heart hurts for her just the same. Adoption is a beautiful thing. But it can also be hard, depressing, sad and very difficult.

Back to my thoughts. I have a very strong testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that is not always politically correct to say, but I do. I am grateful for the Christmas season when we are able to talk about Him more freely with people we may not usually feel comfortable with. He is the most selfless, perfect person ever to live.

Twice in my life I have been blessed to witness something that I can only describe as a miracle of complete selflessness. Each time our babies were placed in my arms by their birth mothers....wow. These two women were willing to put the needs of another (my babies) ahead of their own and do what Heavenly Father asked of them. Sound familiar? It was not easy. It hurt. Physically. Emotionally. Every way possible. They did it anyway. And that will not ever be forgotten in this house. We love them. We pray for them. We are so grateful for them. They gave us the most precious and wonderful gifts possible. They gave us the best part of our life. How do you say "thank you" for that?

One thing I have learned in this crazy road of adoption, is that it is NOT the "easy way out" for an unplanned pregnancy. Most people in that situation choose a different option. Parenting or abortion. As my friend, mrs. r, said "adoption is dying". Those women who choose to place their babies should be celebrated. They are giving that child life...twice.

Santa

We went to see Santa on Tuesday.

Eli was excited to tell him what he wanted.
Blake was not.

Merry Christmas to Me

I hear angels singing. Seriously. I finally got a new dining room table. For a year, we have been living with three chairs to our table. There are four people in our family. Now I have a great table (with no tire tracks from toy cars) and eight beautiful chairs - that all match.
Again - I hear angels sing. I'm so excited. I'm going to kiss my husband...again.

Merry Christmas to me.

**Thanks to my daddy for bringing it down in his truck. And thanks to my fam for the moral support in the choosing of the table.