Dear Noah, Your First Christmas

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Dear Noah,

Mom and I have dreamed about this Christmas for years, the one we get to spend as a family waking up and opening presents together. Last year mom was only four months pregnant with you, but we still hung your stocking over the fireplace. This year you’ll actually get something in your stocking and several goodies to unwrap under the tree.

On this, your first Christmas, you’ll turn eight months old just three days after the day we celebrate Jesus’ birth. You’re crawling like crazy and getting into everything. It didn’t take long for you to start pulling yourself up on stationary objects just so you could stand. And stand you do! Yesterday you stood for nearly 5 minutes straight hanging on to the side of the couch. I have a feeling it won’t be long before you’re walking. Yikes. You’re tearing through these phases. I hope mom and I are ready!

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We’re looking forward to spending time with family on Christmas eve and Christmas day, and teaching you the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. We want you to know that it’s not all about presents, but instead the ultimate gift of a savior in Jesus Christ, the one who makes it possible for us to be saved from an eternity of suffering.

I can’t wait to look back at all the photos we’ve been taking—and the ones we’re going to take—of your first Christmas and remember how exciting this is for all of us. One thing’s for sure, you’re getting used to seeing a camera, well, several different kinds of cameras, and studio lights. Here’s to building fond memories and new traditions this Christmas!

Love, Daddy

Hey, I'm Talking to You

...that's what God said to me tonight, but in a much nicer way.

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I thought I'd spend a few minutes on a Bible study lesson before bed. These past few days I've been frustrated that I can't get as much done as I used to in the same amount of time. Why does it take five days to clean the house?! Today I doubted my abilities as a mother and wondered if going back to work was something I should consider. And, Sunday is Noah's baby dedication.

Then as I open up my Bible study work book, the first words say, "I don't know about you, but there are times when I lose sight of the fact that my children are a gift to me from the Lord; they are my reward... Sometimes, in the weariness of this season of life, I bark at them in frustration, push them aside as inconveniences to my schedule and feel like an all-around failure as a mother."

Wow! That sums up my past few days. God, thank you for knowing what is on my heart and for your tender love that shows me I'm not alone. Not only are there moms out there with similar struggles, but you are here beside me every step of the way. I am so incredibly grateful to be blessed with Noah. He is such a joy in my life.