bottled joy

I know that Christmas is not about the presents. 

I think that I do a fairly good job at teaching my children the same...

that Christmas is about Christ, 

that true gifts are those of love,

both on the giving and receiving end.

When I asked Kieran to draw a card for his teacher for Christmas, I fully expected to see a tree with ornaments, presents abound and Santa on his sleigh.

Rushing out the door for school as usual, I was stopped in my tracks and was filled with pride that Kieran had not chosen to draw any of the sort.

There, on the white computer paper he had written: "Dear Mrs. B, I hope you have a happy break".

On the inside in his very best attempt (art is not his favorite activity, but this was the best of his best),

a manger scene.

I'm not sure why it is, but there are times when I've felt guilty in a way, by extending Christmas in giving it a dual meaning...meaning Jesus and Santa Claus.

Am I confusing them?

Am I diluting the true reason by taking away from Jesus and giving in to Santa?

To some, maybe.

And then I think, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus"!

I find delight in his reaction 

to receiving ski poles.

Those are the poles that will be with him as he flies down the mountain alongside his daddy and his papa.

I find excitement in hers

as this is the bike

that she will learn to ride alongside her brother and daddy (I don't have one ;)).

I find myself filled with great anticipation

that she will continue to develop her love and appreciation for music for it has been a large part of my life thanks to my mom and dad.

It's the time that we spend with family

whether it's your husband cooking with his father (who never cooks and joined in alongside his son to learn something new),

or your mother-in-law

having a "conversation" with her grandbaby,

that matters.

It's the photo with your phone that didn't come out so great

but is a cherished memory because it's the only picture you have of yourself with your mom and dad and (almost) all of your kids since the baby went to bed to say, "I was here".

It's the funny times that you want to remember, 

like when your two year old is obsessed with her new puffer jacket and her big sister's bike and helmet

that she just can't

get enough.

It's the tradition of eating apple pancakes,

because it's that fattening that you only eat it once a year.

It's the thrill of the light strip that Daddy mounted under the bed,

that prompted her to model some of her favorite colors and makes you smile.

My guilt melts away as I believe in my heart that it's not about the material items themselves so much as it is the time that was spent and will be spent laughing, dancing, cooking, eating, skiing, biking, talking, just being...together.

And if it means a visit to him...

along with a manger scene for Him,

so be it. 

I will have bottled the joy that is Christmas to live it all year long.

before you turn 3 months...

My sweet boy,

before you turn 3 months, I needed to post your 2 month pictures:

 Oh, how you melt my heart!

2 months, 2 years {liam & tatum}

My little loves,

life has its way of quickly stealing time. I've not been looking through the lens very much lately and I ache to do so, to capture the sweet babes that you are.

Just when I think I have a moment to steal back, I am distracted and so goes my individual praises to each of you. They will come, but before I forget...

Liam,

You are two months and in those two months are packed smiles at 1 month 6 days old. In those two months, are the small coos as if to say, "Hello, Mommy", "Hello, Daddy", "It's nice to meet you!". 

Yes, two months of growth and oh, my you have grown.

You are 15 lbs 4 oz, the 97th percentile to be exact, and 23 inches, placing you at the 62nd percentile. You are bigger than any of your siblings at this age.

No matter that you are the fourth in order, I have a feeling that you may be the stronghold to lift your siblings through times of sorrow and celebrate in times of great joy.

You are alert to the world around you, there is a vibrancy about you that fills up the room.

You were destined to be a part of our family and I am in awe that I was called to be your mother.

Tatum,

You are two years and in those two years are sweet giggles, lips that strand small sentences together by saying, "I love you, Mommy". "I love you, Daddy", "See you later!"

Yes, two years of growth, and oh, how you too, have grown.

Perhaps not too much in stature as you fall in the 11th percentile for height and the 25th percentile for weight at under 25 lbs. 

You are wearing 18 month clothing, though we put you in 24 rolled.

Just one year ago, you had a scare that had us uncertain that you might lose your vision in one eye forever.

God must give us what He knows we can handle. Quite honestly, I don't think it was us who handled that experience, it was you. What we as adults can learn from the heart and strength of a child is mind boggling.

You, my sweet girl, who loves to sing every song she can think of, who loves to count to 30, tell me all of her numbers, colors and shapes. You, my sweet girl, who loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, quesadillas and baby dolls.

You my sweet daughter, are a vision of light, of beauty, of love.

2 months, 2 years...

two 

of the most amazing beings that I will ever come to know and love in my lifetime.