Update

I know I say this all the time, but Anna is our festivity queen. She gets so into each and every holiday and is way better than me at making them special. She'll be such a good mom. Anyway, she and Abby basically single-handedly decorated for Christmas this last weekend. I refused to pull one Christmas decoration out until we did some serious cleaning, so Anna really pitched in and then carefully and lovingly went about the house decorating. She's also always on the hunt for things she can talk me into letting her have for her room. I love how child-like she is that way and hope she always will be. We love Anna.


Abigail went to the grocery store with me the other afternoon. When we walked out she noticed a man ringing a bell and asked me why he was doing that. "Well, he's trying to collect money for..." before I could finish she blurted out, "WHAT?! You mean he's wants people to give him money just for ringing a bell?" I quickly explained it wasn't for him, he was doing it for other people. Anna walked into Josh's room the other day to find Abby having a tea party with her dolls. She grabbed the camera and took the following pictures. We love Abigail.

Every day Nate asks me if I've bought him any presents yet. He is so excited for Christmas and all the parties and festivities. He was also so excited to decorate the tree. This time of year is truly so much more magical with children. The highlight of his life though is a Christmas chocolate advent calender I bought for each of them and our upcoming Christmas tree party when they get to sleep under the tree. We love Nathan.

My sister watched my little boys yesterday so I could do some shopping. Ben gave Eliza instructions on how to make a bottle for Joshy. He's just so dialed in and takes himself so seriously I can't get enough of it. A few nights Nate came in to tell us he was scared. Ben followed him in and after he heard Nate he looked at him and said, "Nate, Jesus is with us." Oh, so sweet. We love Ben.

Joshua is beyond words. Honestly, I feel so lucky to have him at this age this time of year. I got the big kids off to school, Ben was playing happily and I fed Joshy his baby food while we listened to one of my favorite Christmas albums. There's just nothing that makes me feel the Spirit more than an innocent smiling child and music. Heaven truly can exist in our homes, maybe for just seconds at a time (at least here) but I'll take it. Here's a sampling of the joy Joshua brings.

Joshua Laughing from Andrea W. on Vimeo.

We love Joshua.