Christmas Day

Dear Madelyn Kate,
I have loved sharing this Advent season with you and Daddy. Reading from Luke 2 with you, acting out the scriptures daily with your nativity sets, baking goodies for friends and neighbors and shopping for presents for those we love were some of my favorite moments we shared. Singing carols, lighting the advent candles and decorating the house are memories I will cherish.

I love the traditions we have started. Our annual ornament from the same booth at Canton, looking at lights, stockings and many others. One we've started this year is something that a friend told me she read on a blog; for presents you received something you want (the doll house), something you need (socks and tights), something to wear (a dress and a sweater) and something to read (a Dora pack with a book, flashcards and coloring books).

Daddy and I stayed up in to the wee hours of the morning on Christmas day laughing and admiring the lights.

 

Santa Claus (aka mom and dad) brought you a doll house and a sweet nativity smocked dress and sweater to wear to church. I had fun setting them out the night before for you.

You were still snoozing at nine in the morning so we had to wake you up in order to do presents and eat breakfast before we left for church. Daddy and I went in to wake you together. We were giddy. You were exhausted.

You could hardly walk down the hallway you were so tired.

You stopped right in the middle of the living room and just stood there for a few minutes with the grumpiest little face I've ever seen. Daddy and I were laughing so hard. You are very rarely (maybe a handful of times your whole life) woken up, so it was pretty obvious that you weren't ready to get out of bed.

Eventually you made your way over to the doll house and you loved it!

We pulled you away from it for a few minutes to open your two wrapped presents from Daddy and I.

After you opened your book and socks, you quickly went back to your doll house.

We had a quick breakfast of sausage, scrambled eggs, cinnamon rolls and oranges then quickly headed off to church.

It was such a sweet morning of worship. Daddy led the children's sermon and you helped lead the way for all the children to come down. I loved watching you in the mix of everyone singing Happy Birthday to Jesus!

After church we spent most of the afternoon at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I had a quick photo shoot for a sweet family who wanted a whole group shot of her family. Other than that, we just took it easy. We were supposed to go to Gigi and Papa's new house but weren't sure how the roads would be in their direction so we held off for one more day.

So instead of hitting the road, we headed back to the house to open stockings, play with the doll house and get some rest.

You are such a little sweetie. You were so fun to watch all day long. From your wobbly knees in the morning to opening your stocking before bed, it was a fun day.

I love you sweet girl. Merry Christmas!

Love,
Mom


For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6