Trimming the Tree

He's been begging for it...and it's finally here! The Christmas Tree! And he's even got his own in his room. The trimming of the tree went something like this: I pull out two ornaments and perfectly place them (I take such care and pride in doing this) and he pulls one off. "Ornament, mommy. I got it." Yes, you do got it...but it goes back on the tree, son. There are ornaments all over the house. There are some on the tree, too! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

To Our Precious Friends and Family,

It is with overwhelming hearts we write to you this Christmas season. This time last year we were celebrating the season in full swing, but also so aware of the absence of a child we were praying for. In between wrapping presents and baking cookies, we were wrapping up our home study and finishing our adoption album. We hung an ornament that served as a faith promise of the miracle we were expecting. It simply read, "For Unto Us a Child is Born."

By now you more than know the story. Our baby boy was born on May 9 and placed in our arms on May 31. It is impossible to recount all the little miracles that occurred during the process that lead us to Elijah, but suffice to say we saw God's hand in each and every step.

Last Christmas we sent out prayer cards as we pursued our adoption journey. Little did we know this Christmas we'd be celebrating with our son! We've hung a new ornament this year - it reads "Baby's First Christmas." It's just beside the other ornament - both reminders of God's faithfulness. Every time we look at Elijah we are reminded of God's answer to prayer. We rejoice this Christmas in the gift of life - the gift of a baby sent to forever change our lives.

The Christmas story is such a beautiful portrayal of the journey we've experienced. Mary, a pregnant unwed teenager. Joseph, willing to love and raise a child that wasn't genetically his. Jesus, from humble beginnings to a humiliating death. He came to give life - eternal life. God, Heavenly Father, seeing fit to give up His rights to His one and only son so we can be adopted as sons and daughters.

If the lights sparkle brighter - it's only because Elijah is so fascinated by them. If the presents look prettier - it's only because Elijah wants to tear into them. If Christmas seems a little more exciting - it's only because we are celebrating with our baby boy. This little life is a reminder of the everlasting life and abundant joy we celebrate this season.

We pray the miracle of Christmas is alive in your heart. Celebrate and rejoice with us! A baby changes everything...

Merry Christmas!
Ed, Carrie & Elijah

Santa...I KNOW HIM!!!

Mall Trip to See Santa for Elijah's First Christmas....

The makeshift candycane backdrop was, in fact, in the middle of the mall...and our family photo shoot is scheduled for this Friday. So stay tuned for pics of the whole family.

Elijah also refused to smile in front of the camera - period. As soon as he was off Santa's lap and not in front of the camera, he was laughing all over the place. Of course.

Years later, we're going to look back at this photo - Baby's First Christmas sweater and all - and think, "How cute..." And then more years later, Elijah's going to pull this photo out and think, "Mom, what were doing to me?!"

But suffice to say it is his first Christmas and his first picture with Santa so yes, it was to be remembered.

Christmas Fun

Still trying to crawl.










Who needs Santa when I have Grandma?









Mommy's best Christmas present ever!












A Giant Stocking Stuffer!












Trying to bust out of the crib...

Oh Christmas Tree....

Elijah is fascinated by the twinkling light-up snowman. Just wait until we get the whole tree up!

So the picture is really blurry...but daddy decorated Elijah's tree from Pap & Gram for Christmas. He also put up lights on the outside of the house. Mommy is working on the inside - all the decorations are up except the actual tree. Soon to come...

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like....

CHRISTMAS!!!












(This is just a sneek peek of our Christmas photo shoot!)

We went to the mall tonight to look for a hat and mittens for you. We passed by Santa and he waved at you. We saw all the Christmas decorations. You and I sat on a bench outside the shoe store while daddy shopped. We played and you laughed and bounced on my lap. People young and old passed by, smiling at you and saying "how cute!" I have to agree.

It got me thinking...This time last year was such a different attitude. I always love to celebrate Christmas, but last year I was so aware of the absence of the child I had been praying for. In between shopping and wrapping gifts, I was sorting through pictures and making scrapbook pages for our adoption album.

I remember purchasing an ornament as part of the Godparent Home's Christmas fundraiser. It was a simple glass ball that said "For unto us a child is born." I claimed that as a promise - not just the Promise of life that came that blessed Christmas morn, but also as a promise of the child that would be ours.

I decorated the tree, thoughtfully placing each ornament. Proudly hanging the ones that daddy had bought mommy over the years, or the ones I had collected since I was a little girl. And then I hung that glass ball at the very top of the tree - just below the angel that sat above them all. I wanted to see it everytime I passed by.

After hours turned into days and days into weeks, cropping pictures and journaling by each one, making sure each page was an accurate representation of the family we are and what we could offer a child...I needed that ornament to serve as a visible reminder of why I was stressing over making each page perfect.

It was all for you. It was for this year - this time that we would celebrate a baby at Christmas. Yes, every year we celebrate the birth of Christ - but this year, I'm more aware of my Savior's enrance into the world because of how you've rocked mine! This year, I share Mary's heart. Holding, rocking, kissing my baby boy. This year, I don't just dream about what will be - I am experiencing what is.

You won't really know what all the pretty presents and twinkling lights are all about. You won't understand the reasons we celebrate. But this year, all of the festivities and decor will serve as a reminder of God's most precious gift - a baby boy that forever changed our lives.