What a difference an Avery makes.....

In year's past on Christmas Eve Eve I have it all together. Tons of homemade candy just waiting to be consumed, gifts all wrapped with coordinating handmade bows, Christmas cards sent the week after Thanksgiving, nothing really left to do but enjoy the holiday. This year: not so much!!

No candy making for me, the gifts are wrapped but bows are no where to be found, the final group of Christmas cards went in the mail today, and I still have to go to the grocery store in the morning for ingredients for dishes I am taking to our various family gatherings. Am I complaining??? Heck no!! For the first time in our lives Paul and I get to be Santa! Our little angel is finally home and we are truly focusing on what matters: not the fancy bows just enjoying each other and marveling at the miracles that brought us together as a family.

This evening was spent unpacking all the toys and making sure that Santa had all the batteries required and that everything was ready to go Christmas morning. As Paul and I were opening stuff this evening we just looked at each other with huge smiles on our faces and said "this stuff if for OUR kid!" and just giggled like you wouldn't believe. So are the preparations different from years past? Yeah, but we wouldn't change a thing.

And just maybe if I start working on the handmade bows in January next year's gifts will be appropriately adorned and hopefully Avery will be old enough to be Mommy's little helper in the kitchen. If not, who cares?

This year brings us new traditions, new experiences, and a whole new kind of love in the form of a little angel from China.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus we will also celebrate all the blessings he has bestowed upon us. We are so very thankful!!!

Happy Tuesday!!