Christmas 2014

On Christmas Eve we ate Ravioli and watched Scrooged and Christmas With The Kranks. Before bed we read the story of Christ's birth in the New Testament. We hoped the snow falling outside would give us a magical white Christmas, but by morning the snow had melted.

On Christmas morning we opened our gifts, then bundled up in bed and ate cinnamon rolls. Once the family was awake we did a couple of FaceTime sessions and showed off our gifts. FaceTime with the Parks family was especially exciting. Jess had an ultrasound on Monday where the tech wrote down the gender of their baby and placed the piece of paper with sonogram photos in an envelope. Jess wrapped up the envelope, then on Christmas morning unwrapped the gift and found out they're family is having a GIRL! FaceTime is such a blessing. It wasn't at all the same as actually being there with our family but it did help us feel included.

We spent the rest of the day walking Kella, assembling baby's car seat and stroller, then ended with a delicious ham dinner.

 There was a time during the day when I regretted our decision to not go home for the holidays. We are blessed to have such wonderful family members that have made holidays so memorable for us. We're also so very blessed to be pregnant with this little girl. For the past three years all I really truly wanted for Christmas was a baby, or at least a positive pregnancy test. And here we are- three months away from meeting our little miracle. I made great effort all day to stay in the moment but I couldn't help daydreaming of next year when our little one is here, nine months old and causing all kinds of chaos by breaking ornaments and pulling at the tree. It's going to be such a wonderful time. 

I'm grateful for this small, simple, and quiet Christmas that will never come again. Mostly I'm so grateful for my Savior. His birth, life, and sacrifice is the reason for this holiday. And He is the reason for all of my joy.