A Christmas Weekend to Remember

Oh what a weekend we've had so far! Olivia is discovering Christmas with new eyes this year. Eyes filled with wonderment and excitment! With every passing tree that is adorned with lights she yells out "Christmas Tree" and each jolly person in red becomes "Santa"!









Last night Olivia participated in her very first Christmas program with her preschool. Her little group sang about 8 songs. And though Olivia sang at the top of her lungs in the car on the way to the program, and in the car on the way home, she didn't sing at all during the program! Instead, she stared out at the audiance, longing I think for it to be over! At the end of the performance, all the kids sat down and each one was asked what they wanted for Christmas. My girl came to life and into the microphone she stated, "Mom"! What a moment for mom!









Tonight we bundled up and ventured into downtown Mpls to watch the Holidazzle Parade! As I was sitting on the street curb, watching the parade of lights pass us by, I thought "how crazy is this state to have a parade in what feels like the dead of winter!" (I think it was about 23 degrees). But you know what? It was awesome, and Olivia was amazed at all the passing lights. She waved at each float as it went by. After the parade we found coffee and tea and it was one of those nights that made me appreciate this place called home even more!





Tomorrow we get to attend the Christmas program at Grandpa's church. Oh what a Christmas weekend to remember! Oh what a Christmas to remember! How blessed we are to be able to see it through our children's eyes.

Olivia Sparkles!

Olivia sparkles. From the moment she became a part of our family, a little over a year ago, Olivia has sparkled. But I don’t think it started in that moment. I think it started the moment she was created. In fact, I think God creates us all to sparkle, it’s up to us to decide whether we will live the way He created us to live.

Olivia sparkles. This fall we celebrated her third birthday. It was her first birthday with us. We also celebrated the anniversary of our first year together. Additionally, we celebrated our first Thanksgiving with our larger family and as each event comes and goes, I become more and more awed at what an amazing little girl God has blessed us with. She brings laughter and joy wherever she goes. In fact, she kind of takes over any room she is in! “I’m here” she seems to proclaim, “Let the party begin”!



Olivia sparkles. Who would have ever thought one little girl, from so far away, could bring so much life and love to a family?

Mommy wants to sparkle too. I want to live with the joy and abandonment that I see Olivia living, no matter what the obstacle. Olivia has endured and overcome much. And yet she never stopped sparkling. I pray as we begin this Christmas season, that you will experience some of the sparkling joy and childlike excitement that is so present in Olivia, and in all of our children.



Mommy bought Olivia a very sparkly dress for Christmas. I think I’m going to go out and buy one for myself too!