Merry and Bright

Our day began at 5:45 am.  We were through with gifts and breakfast by 8:30.  What fun!

All that planning, and saving, and shopping, and wrapping...it was worth it--to see the joy on their faces. 

And what joy this holiday brings! A Savior BORN to make atonement for our sins with His perfect life. Oh to really contemplate and meditate on what it meant for Jesus to leave his throne of glory and descend to earth on my behalf.  The true meaning of Christmas is a beautiful thought to behold.  Wishing you and yours the sweetest memories today!

ps. I'm coming to you from my shiny new macbook!!!!!!!!!!!!

winter gifts

Thank you for all your notes about our biggest Christmas gift this year (baby boy baking in the belly). 

As I look around, there are all kinds of little treasures to behold this season.

 
Yarn, and hooks, and very, very slow progress (year 3 of trying to finish) on our mitten advent calender.

 

Early celebrations with adorable creatures. (My niece Audrey with her doggie Hazel)

 
Christmas cards from beloved friends far and near.  Love passing their little notes and pictures in the stairwell each day.

Fresh off the tree citrus.  Hand-delivered from Arizona.  Thanks Gram.

Whipped cream on top of foamy milk on top of brewed espresso.  Yum.

Hearing this girl play (at her winter recital). She is getting quite good.  So proud.

The pondering of little minds (evident in their artwork) about the true meaning of Christmas.

Paper whites growing in my kitchen window.

 
Winter weather gear piled high by the front door.  Almost decorative.

Abundance, filling up the all the frosty corners. Hoping that little winter gifts surround you too.  

totally unexpected

 

Never in a million years would I have guessed it.  Carl and I both cried right there in the ultrasound room!  I feel exactly the same as I did with the girls (wonderful) so I did not expect anything different.  But in keeping with this conception of this pregnancy...we found ourselves delighted by a totally unexpected surprise!  The girls are thrilled, and we have decided that this tiny guy will be well loved by many "little mothers". 

So, even though this is our 4th baby, we are off on a brand new adventure!

Now for a name....