So This Is Christmas...

So Christmas at our house this year wasn't ideal in any way, shape, or form.  But I didn't want ideal.  I didn't want picture perfect. I just wanted my family of four all together under one roof, and God was gracious to bless us with that most precious gift!

We had beautiful moments, followed by ugly moments, that turned into adorable moments, that then gave way to I'm-going-to-pull-my-hair-out moments.  But the sweetest, most precious moments always seem to follow the tears- both with my babies and me.

It's hard when God allows you to be in a place or a position where you will be totally broken.  But I'm learning to recognize these times.  And as hard as it is to be right smack dab in the middle of the broken place, I'm learning to thank Him for allowing me to walk through it.  I know this is where He does His very best work in me, where He grows me and changes me.  These are the places where I fall to my knees in surrender, recognizing my need for Him, reestablishing my dependence on Him.

This Christmas we received the most amazing gifts, and they didn't show up via reindeer express.  Eriek and I got another daughter, Arella got a sister, and Zoe got a family.  Even though it was a stressful Christmas day, God ended it with a little cherry on top.  The girls slept in the same room last night for the first time and did great!  And that last sweet picture above is both of them leaning in for a kiss.

Christmas was filled with many more tears than in years past, but thankfully I don't need just one special designated day to celebrate my Jesus.  He is, was and will always be my King, my Rock, my Deliverer, my Comforter, my All in All.  Jesus, help me to celebrate You every day of the year.

Although lightsabers and tutus can always help celebrate Jesus....