Wishing You a Merry Christmas

We have a wonderful friend who agreed, at the last minute, to take some pictures for us for our Christmas card. I love the pictures of Arianna with the tree, they capture the wonder and awe of a child's Christmas. Reflecting on the last year has made me so grateful for all that I have. I am glad that Arianna was born around Christmas, she fills me with Joy. 

Ben did a good job of conveying some of those feelings in this poem:

 Be warned it might bring tears to your eyes. 

'Twas two days before Christmas, Two-thousand eleven

And up on the wall, the clock read half-past seven

The butterflies hung o'er the cradle in wait

For a little one coming, we knew not the date

Each bathroom, each floor, had been carefully cleaned

By a mother expecting, and to Father it seemed

That this season might be yet another alone

Without children to brighten the holiday tone

But what a surprise! As we drove home that night

On the Krispy Kreme sign "Hot Now" was so bright

We reached for our donuts, and in came the call

We had to get going, there was no time at all

Mom got a bite in; I stuffed my mouth

And started to drive...Was it north? Or south?

But sweet little Ari was ready to come

Not even two hours, and all would be done

And as her dear mother relinquished her hold

And she passed to us, the joy was untold

We did not yet know all the troubles ahead

But we had the assurance that we would be led

So miracles later, some great and some simple,

We took our sweet Ari to be sealed in the temple

It will soon be a year since this story was told

But we can't express all it was to behold

So we simply give thanks to our Savior and King

Sending love by our words while we are apart

We pray that the peace the Spirit does bring

Will be in your home, and dwell in your heart

 

We would also like to share with you a video that is a beautiful illustration of the true meaning of Christmas. Enjoy! And we hope you have a very Merry Christmas.