We're Christmasing!
Lights and music and trees galore.
This is a good time for our Mabel girl. She adores the red lights that shine bright this season. It's so neat watching her watch them.
One of my favorite traditions that we started last year is doing the gingerbread house. The kids go crazy decorating and making messes. Even today (2 days later) there is still icing on the kitchen table.
And I'm ok with that.
Do you remember my friend, Tiffany?
She and I have been friends for quite some time now. She and her husband, Jim, adopted a little guy from Ethiopia earlier this year. His name is Jamesy and he has nystagmus like I do! Not only that, though, Jamesy has since been diagnosed with a rare disorder and is showing many of the same symptoms as Mabel. His disorder is often a result from mitochondrial dysfunction (or is related). [Keep in mind that dysfunction of the mitochondria is not the same as having mitochondrial disease.]
Anyway, would you mind visiting her blog and showing her some support? Jamesy just recently had an EEG to confirm that he, too, is having seizure activity. My heart is saddened for Jamesy but I am so enriched by this friendship. God truly did weave us together long ago for such a time as this and I still can't believe it. What a unique and loving God.
So back to Christmasing...
I am so thankful for this time of year. It really is magical. The lights, the spirit. It's all very loving. Yesterday in McDonald's, Nora gave one of her toys from home to another little girl. Rachel cried. "Most kids just love their toys."
But Nora has a sharing heart. That is the most precious and cherished thing that I want to remember about this year when she is 5. She learned what giving is all about. In turn, she has learned about poverty and families who have so little. It has been hard explaining to her the kind of suffering that still happens in our world but she gets it and I can see her heart expanding every day. She makes me so proud.
Every year she busts out a stocking hat to wear. She wears it day and night (even in her sleep.) I'm not sure what it's about but it sure is cute.
We started "Elf on the Shelf" this year. The kids just enjoy finding him every morning.
More to come on this soon!
What are you doing to kick off December?
We're making a Santa 'countdown til Christmas' today and also starting a new tradition with our nativity. ( Thanks to a special friend for the idea!)
3 comments:
You are such a sweet friend. I cherish your friendship, and how divinely it was orchestrated. It is unreal that we would find each other in the sea of other online women. Amazing. Thank you for all of the encouragement, support, and love. Your Mabel is at the top of my prayer list. It is my blessing to pray for her and you. I love hearing about your Christmas traditions. This season is so wonderful. Praying you feel peace and joy delight and expectation in a huge way as you celebrate the birth of our Jesus with your family.
Oooh, AND Mabel is seeing the lights?! I know you are on the inside - the day to day, but from my vantage point that is a huge leap since last Christmas, right?! All glory to God!
Look at Mabel sitting all by herself!!!
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