Good Tidings of Great Joy

Merry Christmas! I can't believe it has been a whole year since last Christmas. Christmas has forever been changed for me. Last night as I went to sleep I thought about Mary. I thought about the baby boy who was entrusted to her care, but was really not hers, but rather the world's. I thought about that night in the manger that she met her little boy for the first time. And as my heart started to ache a little, I thought about how Mary's heart must have felt when she knew her little boy's life on earth was coming to an end…when she, like I did, felt the physical pain of separation from a child she loved so much. Like her, I had some foresight that the time my little boy had on earth would be short, but it does not lessen the ache in my heart and I am sure did not lessen hers. I love this precious mother so much more now that I can relate to some of her deepest feelings. Of course she is and always will be far greater than I, for she was amazing enough to be chosen to be the mother of the Savior of the world. And I love her for that as well.

Near the end of Christ's life on earth, his Father also had to experience the pain of separation as he withdrew himself from his precious Son to allow him to fulfill the law and suffer all of our pains, heartaches, sins, and disappointments. How broken our Father must have felt to not be there at that time. This shows me that Christ's life-his birth and his death-are so very important. Because any parent that has the power to be with a child-or save them from pain-would definitely use that power. Unless there was something much greater at stake, unless there was an even greater love on the line. And because Heavenly Father loved all of us-his other children, so much, he left his little boy alone to do the task that no other could do.

And because of all this, Christmas for me means Love. It is the love of a mother for her baby. It is the love of a Father for every single one of His children. It is the love I feel for my little family made eternal only through Jesus Christ who came to earth as a tiny babe.

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:7-14

May you also feel the Love that Christmas brings. Merry Christmas from our family to yours.
(Pictures of Jax's first Christmas will come later)

Winter Wonderland

We got a little bit of snow here in Virginia last week. Of course everything shut down so lucky for us, Dad (David) had a snow day! Jax LOVED staring out the window at the snow. Isn't he cute?

Later in the week my parents came to visit so they could celebrate with Jax before they had to be back home to celebrate with the rest of the family. I miss warm California Christmases. While they were here we went to ICE at the National Harbor. It is basically a huge ice sculpture display with different rooms all centered around a theme. It was really fun and Jax even seemed to enjoy it.

They give you these really big coats to wear since it is 8 degrees inside. 

They change the theme every year, this year it was "The Night Before Christmas"

This was the ice slide. A lady at the front told us that if you turn your jacket inside out you go really fast. My mom was the only one brave enough to take off her jacket in the freezing cold and try it. She did go a lot faster than we did. 

After all the fun festivities, the display ended with a beautifully carved Nativity scene and emphasized that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas which I thought was wonderful. 

half-birthday

We celebrated Jax's half birthday on the 13th. I can't believe he has already been keeping us awake with us for 6 months now! He is quite the handful and I am pretty sure his favorite activity is screaming (or keeping us awake all night), but we love him so much anyway. Here are some pictures from the big day:

I has just comparing him to his pictures from when he was a few days old. I cannot believe how much this boy has grown and changed! Time is flying by TOO fast! 

(this is a very Jax face. He does it ALL the time)

On Jax's half birthday we went to the mall to meet Santa. I can't believe we actually got a picture of Jax being calm since he had pretty much been screaming all day (screaming is his favorite).

We are pretty sure this is the real Santa. 

This is not a fear picture. This is an "I am done with this activity" picture. And Jax is the BEST whiner in the world. 

Of course there was cake for this half-birthday celebration. Which everyone but Jax got to eat. 

Jax's grandma and grandpa were visiting from California. They helped us celebrate…and eat the cake. 

Happy Half-Birthday little man! We love you!