Savoring Christmas

Last Christmas I posted about the bittersweetness in my soul...how joyful the holiday was spent with family and Michael and Riley...but how there was a piece of my heart that wondered if our next child had been born yet and if we were missing his/her first Christmas.

As it turned out we did miss our sweet Mary Kenzie's first Christmas last year. Yes, she was only five months old. And, yes, we have the rest of her Christmases to spend with her. But, there is still a tinge of sadness to know that our daughter was half a world away last Christmas and not home.

So, this Christmas I really wanted to soak in every second I could and relish the time spent with my kids. We had a full month of baking cookies, reading Christmas stories, driving around looking at lights, going to Christmas parties, buying gifts, seeing Santa, etc... But, I have to say that some of my favorite memories I will take away from this season were the quiet moments spent with my kids and Michael...Simple moments like talking with Riley about what Christmas is all about. Simple moments where we stepped away from the chaos of life and just enjoyed being together and enjoyed the intangible gifts that we have been blessed with.


Christmas Eve at Michael's parents' house


The kids coming into the living room to see their presents Christmas morning



Opening presents


Matching cousins (Riley, Mary Kenzie, Mason, and Laila)


P.S. Thank you SO MUCH for all of you who voted for Mary Kenzie in the Santa Baby contest...she didn't win but it was still fun that she made it to the final round and the top 12! Thank you again!!!