it's been a long time. Not that i haven't had an abundance of words or thoughts, we've just been busy preparing for little Thea and living this beautiful life that God has completely blessed us with.

The 4:30 pm sun is quickly setting, casting a gloomy gray all over the place. But, we're getting ready to go see Christmas lights and perhaps ride a carousel all lit of for the season's festivities to replace the gloomy weather with an abundance of colors and joy.

I can't help but just be thankful this year. Thankful for life. Thankful for the joy of Christmas through B as she belts out "Jingle Bells" or yells that she found yet another baby Jesus in the middle of a store somewhere or even when she finds Sven the Elf in .02 seconds every morning she wakes up. Thankful for family. Thankful for everything.

There's a tiny human whose living quarters are getting smaller and smaller and smaller every day. She is squirming and throwing punches as her big day nears. She is due in 46 days. And, oh my! Those days are going to fly. I'm thankful for her, too! I can't wait to meet her and snuggle her and see all her tiny features.

He is so faithful. So loving. So kind.

O come! Let us adore the Babe who came to save us. Let us embrace Emmanuel in the midst of the crazy. And let us be thankful, over all, for our God's heart of forgiveness. For, if He did not have one, there would be no Christmas!