Merry Christmas 2017!

We have been overwhelmed with joy and abundant blessings this Christmas. Our sweet Lincoln and the constant light in his eyes has made every moment of the season more joyful and memorable than any before it. My rapidly growing belly and the strong kicks and rolls from this tiny one who will soon be with us are a reminder that the Lord's plan and provision over our lives is greater than we could ever hope for.

Experiencing Christmas through the eyes of a two year old has truly been the light of my every day this holiday season.  Lincoln is just now old enough to really absorb the books, traditions, and festivities centered around Christmas and the birth of Jesus. His newfound interest and excitement has left my heart feeling so full!

We focused on simplicity for the season this year, keeping our home decor quite minimal and instead making the most of shared experiences with the people we love. We've traveled to various holiday festivals, encountered Santa on a number of occasions, and helped Lincoln to learn about why we celebrate Christmas. Lincoln built and decorated his first gingerbread house, memorized lots of holiday stories, and became an expert at baking grandma's traditional Christmas sugar cookies. (Or, at least an expert at eating the sprinkles.)

Over the last month or so, Lincoln would burst out in song at random times throughout the day singing Frosty the Snowman or Jingle Bells and lays up in his bed at night reading Pete the Cat Saves Christmas and Llama Llama Jingle Bells along with many more of our favorite holiday books. While I never would have guessed it would happen, we were even blessed with a WHITE CHRISTMAS this year! Lincoln got to build his first snowman on Christmas Eve, and I don't think it gets much better than that.

I have absolutely no doubt that in my pregnancy-induced stupor I managed to miss half my mailing list while sending out Christmas cards this year. For those of you who may have been left out, please accept my apology.  I'm including photos in this post from our card!

As Christmas day comes to a close, I pray that your hearts are filled with peace, joy, and love. Over the past four years, we have experienced the gamut of emotions over the Christmas holiday; from surprising Mitchell with a Christmas gift to reveal that he would be a daddy, to surviving the holiday with a colicky baby, to one of the most devastating pregnancy losses we've had, and now the most beautiful season with our incredible two year old and another miracle on the way. I know that holidays can be both simultaneously joyful and heart-wrenching. Wherever you are in your life's journey or whatever joy or pain you're experiencing this season, my prayer is for you to feel the Lord's peaceful presence in your heart tonight.

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!   PS. Since posting this blog I've gotten a lot of questions regarding this red maternity dress.  It can be found here and is also available in a variety of colors and various sleeve lengths to fit your season!