Christmas, Two Birthdays, and a Happy New Year!

Christmas is a busy time at our house. This year was no exception. I only hope that amid all the busy happenings, we are able to pass on the true meaning of Christmas to our children. I do feel especially blessed to have a child born on Christmas Eve. It always reminds of what Mary went through to have Jesus. Sweet memories of that Christmas as well as the one when we were expecting Emma and had her on December 27th are special gifts.

This year was a big deal to Ethan. He is now a teenager, having turned 13. I was trying to relive his first Christmas when he was just a day old by playing some Neil Diamond cds I played then. He wasn't interested in dancing around with me but Eliza did take me up on it. It's an exciting time in his life.

Emma turned 11 a few days later. She is such a laid back girl. So much growing up is going on at our house. It is bittersweet for us as parents as we are excited to see what God will do in their lives yet want to hold on tight to the years that we have them home.

This Christmas was a lot of fun. It was Eliza's second Christmas home and she had a great time handing out presents and opening them. We took her to see Santa this year and during the wait in line she kept telling us she was going to sit on his lap and ask for a dollhouse. When she finally got up there she clung tight to her brother and had Faith tell Santa what she wanted. Not a bad set up for her when you think about it.

Here are some pictures of the festivities at our house. Enjoy! May your new year be one full the God's blessings!