for these moments

• the birth of our daughter
• the birth of the One and only Son
• adjusting our focus to the miracle of this season
• extra time in church to reflect on the gift
  
• talking about new traditions as
• new, proud, parents
  
• anticipation of the busyness that is to take place in a few short days
• slowing down to enjoy the baking, wrapping, singing
• Christmas caroling and
• hot chocolate in our p.j.'s looking at Christmas lights on a cold Saturday night
• thankfulness-- for everything
• memories of the rock of our family who is
• dancing in front of his savior this Christmas

For these moments, these pauses, the grace of God in the moment, I am so thankful.

the pea is getting sweeter

The little pea (a new nickname we've seemed to adopted for Julia) is just growing into the sweetest little girl we could ask for. The smiles that she gives you when she catches your eyes looking her way make every bone in your body tingle and your heart turn to goo. The sleepless nights as of late, seem to not even matter... and I'm sure a year from now I will probably slowly forget what they even feel like. So-- I'm taking these sleepless nights as a blessing of motherhood and loving every second of it. Sweet pea- we strive to have the child like faith you display at 12 weeks in this world.