Addie's First Christmas

I have been meaning to write for quite some time, but as many of you know, the holiday season gets so busy it's hard to carve out time for something like "playing on the computer." And speaking of the busyness of the season, I want to point to my friend Jess' blog (link to it by clicking on her name on the right). She reminded us all of the true meaning of Christmas.

Now...on to our last two weeks. Family Christmases. Emphasis on the plural. Last Sunday, we hopped around to three family gatherings on Brad's side and this past weekend we spent three days of non-stop action of family gatherings on my side. Addie loved every minute of it. She smiled and talked so much! She had a hard time taking naps because she wanted to be part of the action. I think today was a bit let-down for her. She's had so much attention over the past three days and today it was just Mommy and Daddy to pay attention to her. She fussed if we even tried to leave her side for more than about 30 seconds.

We were all spoiled this Christmas. Addie got some new toys and clothes. Cute stuff. She is enjoying all of her new light-up-and-make-noise toys.

Finally, I'll end with a few pictures. I hope to write again soon; don't give up on our blog! :) And to all of our family: it was so great to see you and spend time with you over the past couple of weeks!

Addie opening her first Christmas gift. Naturally, she got a fistful of paper and that was the end of opening gifts for her. By Christmas Eve, she was beginning to figure out there was something more exciting under the paper so she would just sit and wait for it to be revealed.

Addie on Christmas Eve. I couldn't let her be the worst dressed girl in the nursery at church, so she made use of a beautiful dress that was a baby shower gift. Add the white sweater and she was all set for Christmas weather. (Thanks, Kellie, for holding her up to pose!) :)

For whatever reason, I cannot add the last two pictures I wanted to add, so I'll try again another time.

May God bless you in great ways this coming new year!

Some of the latest...

First, we'll travel in time back to Thanksgiving. :) Even though it wasn't all that long ago, it feels like several weeks have passed. Anyhow...we had a fabulous long Thanksgiving weekend. It was great having Brad home for a couple extra days. Also, Addie thoroughly enjoyed her visit from Uncle BJ and Aunt Kellie. They haven't been able to come "home" since she was two weeks old. Wow has she changed. (Side note for those who don't know: BJ is my brother.) Above all, it was a great weekend of relaxing family time.

My family was having a little fun with Addie on Thanksgiving...

That's Addie with Uncle BJ. He LOVES his niece!!

As you'll notice in the above picture, Addie is now adorned with a bib all day long. It's annoying, but she has the baby drool just flowin'. We're expecting a tooth soon, but who knows.

As for the little one, she is sitting up so well. We have to be near, as she's just a little wobbly yet. But we are amazed day after day watching her be able to support herself better and better. She likes to worm herself onto her stomach and play for a bit, then start whining because she can't figure out how to get herself out of the belly position. She squirms and kicks and everything, but can't get the big belly off the ground to crawl.

I want to give a little shout out to my good friends from college. We enjoyed a great breakfast together this past weekend. Last time we were able to do that with all five of us, there were no kids. This time we had a toddler and infant, and another on the way. :) (no, that was not a hint!!! it's my friend who's expecting!!) :) Here's all of us together:

Girls--it was great to see you and spend time with you. Can't wait to do it again!! :) Love you all!!!

Lastly, I just have to share that church yesterday was amazing. Particularly towards the end when we had a time of communion. It was one of the greatest communion experiences I've ever had. Our church holds communion once a month, and this time it was just really powerful. There was a drama before the sermon, and after the sermon, as the elements were passed, we sang a song, then had communion. It was especially during that song and communion that you could just feel the Holy Spirit alive and moving in that place. It was amazing.

The sermon yesterday was about letting go of past regrets since they will just drag us down and eventually seep out in other aspects of life, making things worse. In light of that, I'll leave you with these words from Isaiah 1:18: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." As the song we sang says, "Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow." Jesus paid our debt.