I can't believe you are here. And yet, here you are, another Christmas (sadly) behind us.
The end of 2013 was wonderful! It was the best Christmas yet for our little family. The kind of one that you (as parents) can't seem to push pause long enough to savor all the many magical moments. Our hearts are full with love and gratitude. Luke, now 6, completely and utterly gets excited about every tiny thing Christmas has to offer and Elizabeth, 2, was eager and ready to experience the joy.
This is the first time I am not working and am staying home. I was so completely grateful to experience Christmas every minute through my little ones eyes. It was the first time Christmas did not feel rushed, hurried, or stressful. There were many cozy days at home baking cookies, reading Christmas books, working on our daily Advent tasks, witnessing Luke lose both of his two front teeth right before Christmas day, playing games, building legos and playing dolly. I watched how much my two children really love each other and do selfless acts for one another (unprompted).
I was so happy to capture this moment
But, most importantly, this Christmas seemed special in that both my children seemed to understand the real meaning of Christmas and focused on the birth of Jesus.
Luke with his Godmother. See his toothless grin!
This Advent season, Luke did tasks/acts for others. We received the book, Angela and the Baby Jesus, as a gift for Christmas and I read it to my children and had to fight hard to hold back the tears of joy.
Thank you Maria!
It is by far now my favorite Christmas book. And, so my friends, I am finding it very hard to start the New Year with a bang or a cheer. I am afraid to let go of Christmas because I know this time next year, my little ones will be another year older (and so will we)! And, that just makes me kind of sad because we all know how fast our little ones grow up.
Our tree
I know this week I will have to take down our decorations and I am kind of dreading it. Our family room will feel a little lonely and bare without our tree. I just hope that spring is waiting around the corner, because these freezing temperatures are not what I expected moving to KY!
Happy New Year to all of you!!!