Monday, December 21, 2009

A Very Blessed Christmas!!!

For the last four holiday seasons my prayer has been "Please Lord, bring KayLi home before next Christmas." God has answered that prayer in His perfect time and in ways I never could have imagined. Not only is she home but she is healed. Glory!

While I haven't had time to post, bake a single cookie or even wrap a gift we have been celebrating around here. Ryan & Ana were here last weekend and helped decorate the tree.

They also drove KayLi and I to Dallas to have her stitches removed last week and I'm so thankful for them. Allie had no time off left and the thought of driving almost six hours alone with KayLi and than navigating Dallas was, well...ugh!

Emily has put the angel on the tree for the last ten years and she was happy to do it again this year. We have teased her the last few years that next year KayLi would do it. Somehow it just felt right for her to do it one more year.

KayLi loved having Ryan and Ana here. She simply adores her big brother!

Sunday Emily went to see the Nutcracker ballet with the girls youth group. Oh, how I wanted to go but I'm not sure KayLi is ready for that yet. So we went for pizza and then relaxed while we waited for Emily to get home and we could take a few pictures under the tree.

I love these pictures beyond measure. They are an awesome reminder to me that the same God who kept His promise of a Savior for the world over 2000 years ago, also kept His promise to bring this sweet child home.

And He is keeping His promise to heal her. Less than two weeks after surgery, she is doing so well. She is still a little swollen and the interior stitches haven't dissolved yet but look at what God has done!

I am so glad that KayLi's surgery is over and that she is home this Christmas. But for the record we have a new rule around here. There will be no more surgeries during the month of December unless it is a matter of life and death. We have kept many of our traditions in spite of two trips to Dallas and KayLi's surgery. I'll be posting about those after the holidays. There simply isn't enough time to to celebrate, enjoy the holiday and blog about it.

I am behind on my Christmas "To Do" list like never before. And to be honest, that list has been spoiling the season I have waited too long for. If no cookies are baked, oh well. If I don't have time to finish a few gifts, everyone will understand. Because for the rest of the holiday season I am choosing to focus on the fact that God has given us the perfect gift in His son Jesus. Oh, how I want to give him my life in return.

May you have a very blessed Christmas!!!

10 comments:

Tara Anderson said...

So precious to see your COMPLETE family gathered around the tree and celebrating together! Your post is an excellent reminder that God's timing is always perfect!

Merry Christmas!!!

Rachelle said...

She looks wonderful! Praise God! Have a Merry Christmas... much love to you and your family.

Kristi said...

Merry Christmas to you and your complete family! So glad that you are putting aside the list and basking in the love of family instead this holiday!

Hunan Mommy said...

The pictures are great of the girls. It is great to have them all home for Christmas!

Sharon said...

What a beautiful girl!!! I know you are feeling extra blessed celebrating with your WHOLE family finally together!!!

Traci said...

I love the pictures of the kids under the tree. She is healing so beautifully! Excited for both our little ones and their first Christmas home! Merry Christmas!

Michelle said...

Merry Christmas to your family.. I hope you had a joyful day.

TanyaLea said...

Love seeing all of you together in these photos! KayLi looks AMAZING!!! I agree...no more surgeries in December!!

Praying that you and yours had a wonderful Christmas and may you have a very BLESSED 2010!!

love,
Tanya

socialworkbarbie said...

I thought about ya'll when I was driving to Hobbs for the holidays! Someday I must meet your new addition! And until then I'll just enjoy your blog!

Michele said...

I am new to your blog, and I am laughing at all the "bonds" we share! We follow a lot of the same blogs, we have some of the same "bloggy" friends, we both used AWAA, both of our girls are from Shandong and we both love Jesus!!

I would love to get to know you more. I would especially love to hear how AWAA handled your travel. We have not traveled yet and I am so curious!

Your daughter is just about the most cutest thing I have ever seen! What a sweet family you have!