Being A Parent Just Changes Everything...

I am always amazed at how your view is changed once you have kids.

I'm speaking, this time, of Christmas. It used to be about what I'm getting, what I'm giving, what food we're eating, and where we're spending that morning. But this year its different. Everything is about Abigail this year.

She's old enough now to rip off the paper from the gifts, she's old enough to enjoy presents, toys, and even the yummy food. So now, instead of wondering anxiously what's under the tree for me, I'm anxiously awaiting her reaction when she gets up in the morning and sees all her new things!

I'm also a little homesick. I wish I was back in Junction to see my new nephew, Parker. And to see my grandparents. I wish my mom was here to watch Abby's reaction. I wish I was enjoying all the yummy food. I wish I was able to spend all afternoon with the Storey family, laughing at their strange antics and constant teasing. I wish we'd had the money to go home this year. And really, I wish we were there for Jen and Jess in this time of healing.

Side note: Jen and Jess gave birth to a beautiful little boy. After trying for a year to get pregnant, she had her little one at 27 weeks, and he was born still. Details aren't needed, but he sounds amazing. We know that he's in heaven celebrating this Christmas with the birthday boy himself. But its still very, very bittersweet.

Anyway, we're homesick. But we're trying our hardest to stay positive. I'm making a dinner (cornish hens, asparagus, mashed red potatoes, and apple and pecan pies) and I'm even venturing out to bake cinnamon rolls from scratch. Scary!

We're also reminding ourselves that from here on out we can go home for all the holidays we want. Being in Cheyenne is still the desire of our hearts, and we're living each day looking forward to our move. We're both so ready to be out of this town, away from these people... it just time for a fresh start.

This blog is getting long! Oops... As always we are reminded of the Ultimate Sacrifice. We are reminded that God sent his only son into a wrecked, ugly world. He started with a humble beginning, lived a worth and holy life, and died a graphic death. All for us. For me. Out of love, wholesome, strong, unending, love.

And so, at the end of the day, no matter where we are, or what we have, or what we're eating. The focus should still be on those facts.