All the stockings were hung by the chimney with care.....

    Years ago, when I bought stockings for our family, it was an after Christmas sale.  I bought 4. Addie was still a baby.  I didn't know what the future held for us in family size.  But as I was buying the stocking hangers, the snowflakes, I bought 5.  I wasn't sure if I would ever find another one if our family grew, stocking holders aren't that important, but I wanted them to match.  

     As the years passed, and after all the trouble I had after Addie's birth, opening the Christmas box to hang stockings was always there.  That single Snowflake stocking holder, still in it's original packaging, always a little reminder.... we weren't complete.  After the recent miscarriage a few years back in November, opening that Christmas box stung even more so.  That stocking holder, staring up at me from the bottom of the box.  Would it ever find it's place on our mantle?!

   This year, as I opened our Christmas box, the realization of all that has occurred in our family this year hit me.  I fought back the tears, as I quietly opened the packaging and rescued that little snowflake from it's box. I wiped off the dust that had accumulated over the years of being nestled and deeply surrounded by other decorations that made their way in and out.  As, Porter and Addie and Thomas worked on decorating the tree, I took a moment to place each stocking holder on the mantle, carefully placing each one evenly.  And finally it made it's first appearance on the very end, such a special reminder of the greatest gift that we have received all year, of the addition of little Ellie to our family.  We have her stocking that says "Baby's First Christmas".  Maybe after Christmas I will find another stocking on sale, to match the ones we already have.  And maybe, just maybe I could find another snowflake stocking holder.... that one is left up to Heavenly Father.  But, I can say at this moment in time, my joy is full!

  So December is in full swing. We have already had a Christmas Party, and have another one next week.  We are working hard to really help focus on Christ this Christmas.  The Church came out with a wonderful way to have an advent calendar, with much more meaningful things than a little piece of chocolate.  #Lighttheworld   We are doing our best to have a Christ centered Christmas this year.  And the best present of all will happen December 30th, when Ellie is sealed to us for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.  I am so excited that Porter and Addie will be able to attend that special ordinance!  They will actually remember that day.  My hope is that we will do everything in our power to make that day so special.  A tender moment that will strengthen our family eternally.

Addie, six years ago

Ellie in the same dress!

The girls on Thanksgiving Day

Addie and her friend Emery.  "I love make up Emery, it's a part of life." 

Some pics of what I made for Thanksgiving

This girl!

Ellie has a blow out problem! Almost every time
she sits in her bumbo... this happens

Addie had a little fistula on her gums. So I knew she had an infected tooth.  We took her in to the dentist, and they decided to take both teeth out, just mostly out of convenience.  Now she can truthfully sing the song "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth"  Except she told me that isn't really what she wants

I love Addie's artwork and I love her heartfelt words!

She was excited to talk to santa!

I got an early Christmas present.... a camera! so hopefully my pictures will be higher quality than my phone pics

Decorating the tree!

Addie loves to read, and having a captive audience to listen is the best!

Last week Ellie went in for her follow up check with the hospital.  She weighed in at 18 lbs 1 oz!  And they want her back on the high calorie formula?!?!!!!  They said it provides way more nutrients than the regular formula.  But it gives her terribly painful and stinky gas!  Ugh. I wish there was an easier way.  They checked her development and asked a lot of questions.  They were impressed by her. She doesn't have that "preemie Look" anymore.  Her big cheeks and nice rounded head is looking great.  Although she hates her tummy time, they want more of it, so we will, even though it makes her angry. She is measuring well, in weight, height (though she is short), and her head.  They are pleased with her progress.  They did a little OT, to see how she did.  She was a little sleepy at that point, but still scored well. The test itself is funny.  Showing her a ring, see if she reaches. Show her blocks. Ring a bell, crinkle paper.  I totally get it, but it just seemed funny that this test, the Bayley test, was a real thing.  They felt she was emerging and that wouldn't require extra OT.  All in all it was a good check up. We go back in 3 months. Hopefully they will reconsider the high calorie formula, although I do adore her chubs!  It seems to give her that gas, and it is not a pleasant smell.  And her poops are a disturbing green.  But for the sake of her brain health and body health, we will do it!

We are excited for Christmas to come. Excited to go home and see the snow. Excited to be sealed as a family.  We have been working hard on centering our Christmas on the Savior and tonight we had Family Home Evening and watched a video on the Mormon Channel.  It was about a little Christmas pageant on what we can give Jesus for Christmas. So we all talked about one thing we could give Jesus this year, stuff like, "Be nicer to Addie" (Porter's), "help others", "be more patient" etc.... we wrapped up a box and put those gifts under the Christmas tree, and labeled them to Jesus.  We are trying!  It is hard to remember what it's all about sometimes, and these little reminders I hope will help!