Merry Christmas

Seven Months

Our dear Lena,

Baby girl, you are seven months old!  Our wee little lady is on the move, army crawling and scooting around, sitting on her own sometimes, reaching, grabbing, watching,  "singing"!  This month we've really begun to discover a vibrant and sweet personality. Lena, you have some drama! You know what you want and let it be known. But you are the most hopeful little girl we've ever known, watching hopefully as we eat our meals, opening your mouth for some like a little birdie. You are around 15 pounds and 26.5 inches tall. Your eyes are still big and blue. Your hair is growing slowly and seems fuzzier than Emmie's. Time will tell.  You adore the cats right now and have your own language that you speak to them. You love bright colors and things that move, lights and baths.  Emmeline is learning to share with you as you are beginning to enter her domaine. She often shares her most beloved items with you and still calls you "Nina".  You are talking a bit now too saying "Papa and baba and dada". You have two teeth and we think you are working on some more.  You are smart, watchful and earnest. We're praying that you will grow big and strong. How we love you sweet baby girl and how we love our two littles! 

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Today is the third Sunday in Advent. It is the first one that saw us able to be in church due to sickness and another hospital trip for Papa.  It was a difficult two weeks for us all.  But what is Advent for if not to reflect on the reality of what Christ's birth means to us now, in the broken, dark and difficult moments? For He gives us joy and comfort and therefore we rejoice!  

God rest ye merry, gentleman

Let nothing you dismay

Remember, Christ, our Savior

Was born on Christmas day

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray,

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

Thankful Days

We are thankful for many things! We are thankful for snowy days and painting 'white rain', for goofy hats and loving sisters, for thanksgiving with family and cousins in jammies, for visits with dear friends and happy playmates, and for the beginning of Advent.  We are thankful for God's great goodness to our family! Let every heart prepare Him room!

These Faces

On winter afternoons when the house is cold we are like cats, migrating to pools of warm sunlight. One day last week in the post-nap, pre-dinner hour we found ourselves in such sunlight.  These faces make my heart full of thankfulness and joy.