Christmas Day

It's a weird kind of transition to do Christmas with a teenager and an almost teenager.  Thank goodness it is a transition and doesn't happen overnight or all of a sudden, but instead it's a gradual change so that our mama hearts are able to take it.  In fact, I can't say that it was bad or sad, it was a very pleasant change to be able to sleep and do Christmas morning around 8:00 or 8:30 versus 6:00am...I rather enjoyed it, we like our sleep around here.

In fact in an effort to get Sophie Kate up and ready for all the Christmas morning activity, Chad and I were the first ones up.  Sophie Kate followed closely behind us and let me tell you by the look on her face she was not very happy about it.  Did I mention that we like our sleep around here? I think Grey was the only one who woke up on his own Christmas morning.  It was quite lovely though because we had time to get our coffee, get the sausage balls in the oven and turn on the Christmas music.  Now don't get the wrong impression, we are still that family and the wonderful chaos quickly ensued once we got our sleeping teenagers out of their beds.  

After the boys opened their gifts, it was Sophie Kate's turn...

These are priceless to me.  I love to see them interact with their sister.  They each have their own relationship and bond with her and you can see by the look on her face that she absolutely adores them.  

We battled sickness off and on the week of Christmas and I can't even believe I am saying that it didn't involve SK. Two of the boys have been sick and it has been nothing short of a miracle that we have been able to keep Sophie Kate from getting it.  Homebound school has been the best thing for her, she has been healthier this December than she was last December.  I don't know what January and February have in store for us, but November and December have been kind so far and for that we are thankful.

We are looking forward to healthy days in 2015.  We are looking forward to experiences both ordinary and extraordinary with our girl.  We know that hospital discharges and extubations are just as precious as our days spent at Disney.  We know that a healthy homebound school day is just as special as a camping trip.  We know that bright eyes and a big smile at home is just as sweet as seeing it while she is horseback riding.  It's the experiences, the moments, the tears, the love and the joys that contribute to who we are.  May Christ in us show through all our experiences in times of plenty and in times of difficulty as we face the New Year. 

Psalm 115:1, "Not to us, Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness."