Reflections on Christmas

As we pack up the decorations and un-trim the tree, our hearts turn to what we have learned this Christmas season:

• Sometimes a laid back pizza party with dear friends can be as meaningful as an eight course Christmas dinner.


• When we make much of Christ, we don't have to worry so much about making little of other things.


• We've learned the value of celebrating Advent, and we've embraced the tradition of the Jesse Tree.


• The best parts of Christmas are not centered around the things we prepare for each other, but rather the time we spend with each other.

Getting Crazy!

Before his bath each night, Elijah loves to get crazy in his crib. He squeals, rolls around, and just has a good ol' time. We think he is just precious!

O Christmas Tree...

I love Christmas trees, and growing up, my mom always had a family Christmas tree that she decorated with lots of beautiful ornaments as well as a kids' Christmas tree that my brother and I got to decorate with ornaments we had made over our lives and ones that had been given to us. This is definitely a tradition I would love to do with my children as well.

This year since Elijah cannot make his own ornaments, Gigi gave us lots of precious little boy ornaments for Elijah to use to decorate his very own tree.

Tearing This Place Apart

Elijah loves to play on his playmat, and just recently he learned a new trick!

Little Drummer Boy

We are trying our best to make a drummer out of our little boy! I have saved several of his formula cans, and I often set them up like a little drumset and give him a wooden spoon to bang on them with. He loves it! In this clip, David and Elijah are trying out the real thing!

Nana comes to China for a visit!

In November, Nana came to China to spend a couple of weeks with us. Her visit was such a blessing to us and especially to Elijah who loved her so much.

Nana brought lots of new toys for Elijah to play with including a sweet nursery rhyme bear. I have to admit that at first I wasn't sure what Elijah would think of it, but alas, he loved it, (and David and I have grown to love the entertainment the bear provides)!

Nana and Elijah had such a wonderful time together!

Everyone gets a little silly when it's time to play with Elijah, especially Nanas.

When I was growing up, one of my favorite books was The Monster at the End of this Book. Nana was so sweet to bring the board book version of this book to Elijah, and even got a chance to read it to him before bed one night.