Two years ago.....

Two years ago today (December 18, 2011).....I can honestly say I don't remember EXACTLY what I was doing.

I would imagine I was probably working in San Angelo....providing anesthesia for someone who needed surgery.  I was probably counting down the hours for when I could "clock out" and get back home to Chris.  I was probably looking over Christmas lists and grocery lists....wondering how I was going to get it all done before Christmas.

We were in the middle of our first December back in Texas.  Our first December with Chris as the music director at St Luke's UMC.  Our first December...where the season not only brings joy and thanksgiving, but also a new-found stress and anxiety that comes with being in ministry during this wonderful time of the year. 

On December 18, 2011, I had no idea....that a very special event was taking place.  I had no idea that what was going on in a hospital in the next town over....was going to change our lives forever.  I had no idea that my son was being born!

No....I wasn't there the day he entered into this world.  No....I didn't hold him on my chest right after he took his first breath.  No...Chris and I didn't gaze into each other's tear filled eyes as he cried his first cry.  No...I don't have floods of pictures from the moments directly after his birth.  And sometimes, I feel a sense of morning, or loss....that I wasn't able to experience this moment with my son.

But....on the day Cristian entered into this world, God was preparing my mind and soul to realize He had plans for our lives, and these plans included a very special child.  And as Cristian was laid on his birth mom's chest, God was already growing and stretching my own heart within my chest....to be ready to love this little miracle that would enter our lives.  And as others were there to hear his first cry, I spent much of Christmas crying tears of longing and anticipation....because I knew that God needed us to go beyond what was comfortable and safe.  He needed us to love one of His children that we did not yet know, but for whom we had prayed for many years.

It was during the family Christmas Eve service 2 years ago....6 days after Cristian was born, that God spoke to me....through the families taking communion.  He told me that there was a child....a child that would need us.  He told me that a child would enter our lives, change us forever, and make our family whole.

William Cristian Vaught...my Christmas miracle, I love you!  I've loved you and prayed for you long before you entered this world.  And even though I was not there on this day 2 years ago,  please know always....that you hold my heart forever!  Happy 2nd Birthday little man!   I'm honored and humbled that God chose me to be your momma! I love you!

Santa, Cookies, and A Baby in a Manger!!!

It's that wonderful time of the year....when all is merry and bright!  Some folks love the summer holidays, or maybe....they go all out for Halloween, but for me....it's Christmas!  Christmas is that holiday....where the traditions run deep, and the memories are fresh! There will always be those years that ring loudly in my memory....where my mind paints vivid pictures.

I remember many of the A-MAAZ-ING Christmas productions/ pageants....some of which took place in our very living room!

 

I remember decorating the tree each year....placing each special ornament in it's own place on the tree.

I definitely recall....it was my job, EVERY YEAR....to put out the Nativity.  I sometimes spent many minutes getting it "just right!"

Who doesn't love making Christmas cookies....or at least eating the raw cookie dough!

Posing for Christmas card "photo shoots"....

And of course.....the infamous Santa photos!!

Now....fast forward to December 2013!!  We are spending our very first Christmas, as the VAUGHT family....family of FOUR!  My children are so young....Cristian will be two next week (December 18th) and Scarlett will be 6 months old at the end of the week (December 15th).  They do not yet understand or grasp the concept of Christmas, and they definitely don't know about family "traditions".

It's caused me to spend some time in thought!  What traditions will our family start?  What will become the memories that my kids will write about one day in a blog of their own?  What will the elements of a "Vaught Family Christmas" be....that makes it special and unique?

It's easy to get caught up in all the "Pintrest-ness" of the season.  Let's make this craft!  OMG...we have to wrap our presents just like this...with these awesome home-made gift tags.  Should we get an ELF...name him Spunky....and dangle him from the ceiling fan in army fatigues?  What about the food???  Seriously?  I can't even handle all the delicious, new and exciting food options out there tempting me at every turn.  Of course....let's not forget the various AWESOMENESS of creative Christmas photo shoots (see previous post on photo shoots!)

I can be one to get a little over-whelmed....wanting to keep up with the "new and creative"!  But, I think I've come to a realization.  Our traditions will be OUR traditions.  Sure, there will be ideas out there that we might try....or things that I will "wish" we had done.  But...there will be no other Christmas like ours....because it will be just that....OURS!  And it will be wonderful, and blessed, and chaotic, and full of love!

There are a few things I know for sure....

We will decorate the tree and place each ornament in its own special place!

We will pose with Santa!

We will bake lots and LOTS of goodies!

We might even try to pose for Christmas Card photos!  Nah....probably NOT!

But, most importantly, we will talk a lot....during the whole month of December, reinforcing and reminding ourselves, that love began in a manger.  We will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the only son of God, whom He sent to Earth to save each and every one of us.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

 



Luke 2:9-14

 

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."