Wow, another Christmas has come and gone. This season has been filled with so many emotions, but ultimately, I am filled with joy and peace provided by my Heavenly Father. My heart has hurt for so many others around me and in our country as they've been faced with devastating circumstances. While I too have battled my own bouts of sadness, I reflect on all that God continues to do in my life and am so grateful for His continued love and support. He shows me He is here all the time, and I know I couldn't get through the day without Him.
There is just something comforting about Christmas decorations! We may not have the fanciest of things, but I love sitting in our living room and looking at the tree!
Jake and I bought a nice camera for Christmas this year, so I have been playing with it and trying to figure it out! I take so many pictures these days, and with Bryce on the way, we thought it would be a good investment.
The Bell Household Elf, Burney, showed up in our tree on December 1st! Avery was very excited to see him! He had a good time getting into things, and Avery loved talking to him and seeing what he was up to each morning. Burney really took a liking to Tinker Bell, and he made sure to get a check-up from Doc McStuffins while he was here. She also enjoyed the nightly treats he placed in our Advent tree (made with love by Papaw) for her! After "Burney came see me" each night, Avery put her "Jesus" ornament on the tree (thank you Pinterest). Each ornament had a name of Jesus written on it. Her special ornament this year was made at school. She made a hand print angel, and I love it!
Avery and Daddy had a little tea party/dinner one night. I think Daddy enjoyed the pizza she made best.
GG and Papaw weren't able to put up all the lights outside or Papaw's prized Christmas Village this year, but they did get the inside decorated for the most part. Avery helped GG decorate her tree.
Avery played "model" for me in her Christmas dress, so I could get a few pics for our Christmas card this year. I thought she looked very pretty in blue!
Here she is showing her true "Jake Bell" personality!
We've tried to begin several traditions at Christmas. One thing we've done the past 3 years is take her to the Science Museum for ChristmasFest. Avery always enjoys it, but this year, they had a balloon man that really intrigued her. He hysterically wrote "drama queen" on her crown! If he only knew how fitting that is for our redhead!
She waited her turn in line patiently and even decided to have a seat to watch! This is rare behavior!
We dropped by Batson to see the big Christmas tree lit up at night on our way home.
Avery decided to give Burney something to do- he needed her coloring book from ChristmasFest. She also made him a picture.
We spent some time at GG and Papaw's before they headed out to Houston for Papaw's treatments. He has been making us all proud with his strength through this time. We know God is healing him!
Santa Claus visited Avery's school the day of their Christmas Party! He has a special gift for Avery (that was even wrapped in Tinker Bell paper)- a Doc McStuffins doll! She was quite impressed. I am sure Burney had something to do with it!
The Dora Bath set was a gift from the Cook family at our shower for Baby Bryce.
Here is our Christmas card for this year....
Another tradition we began last year is visiting Canton to see the lights. It is so beautiful, and Avery REALLY enjoyed it this year. She rode the carousel and the antique car rides twice with her Daddy! She also rode the train. Pregnant Mommy took lots of pictures!
Avery made a sugar cone Christmas tree (another Pinterest idea), and let's just say she enjoyed it a little. Can you say sugar high?
While Papaw and GG couldn't be with us on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, we were blessed to spend the weekend before Christmas with them. Avery played around in Mr. Johnny's yard, and made sure to give his snowman a hug. We ate dinner at Uncle Mitch's on Friday night, and then had our family Christmas at Papaw and GG's house on Saturday. Cooper got an awesome drum set (that he so kindly let Avery play), and Avery got a LeapPad (which she calls and IPad). Bryce wasn't forgotten either. He got a blue hooded jacket with animal ears, an incredibly soft blanket, some bottles and pacis, and Mommy got a pair of PJ's to wear in the hospital. Papaw was a bit tired from treatments and the drive, but we all had some nice family time together. The only thing missing was Michael's family, but we are hoping to see them early in the new year. We ended the weekend at Bowmar for church on Sunday- it was a beautiful service.
On Christmas Eve, we went to Braxton for our Christmas with Grammy and Papaw (as usual). Avery really wanted to drive, but we convinced her this wasn't a very good idea. She had a blast playing with her cousin, Kali and her Papaw. Of course, she also had a great time opening all of her presents which included some new pink rain boots, a Butterfly Dreamlite, a Big Sister shirt (we are still working on her), and an adorable diaper bag made by sweet Ms. Lou. Baby Bryce got some great stuff too- bottles, a stroller, a memory book, and a beautiful sweater set and blanket set made by Ms. Lou! We are so blessed!
We had to get our Christmas PJ's on as soon as we got home and bathed and get to work! Avery put our Christmas Eve ornament up, put out food for the reindeer (Grammy makes it every year), set out Santa's cookies, milk, and a picture she made him, Then, it was time to get snuggled in bed so Santa could come for a visit!
Santa came, and as always, he spoiled Miss Avery. He left her another sweet letter and had eaten all but one bite of the cookies she left him.
Mommy tried a Paula Deen recipe for Christmas breakfast this year, and I have to say, it was pretty yummy!
This is the first year we spent all Christmas Day at home. While we were sad not to spend the day in Vicksburg with our family, we enjoyed being with one another at home on such a stormy and rainy day.
Avery likes playing in her new Tink "hide-out!" She played with all of her toys, watched movies, and took a nap so we could go visit Pop Christmas night.
~her "Glenn Hair Stare" as GG calls it (my MeMe's look)
I'm still not quite sure how Daddy fit in there, but they had fun any way!
Ready to head to the Newman's! We are so very thankful to have them in our lives. Mr. Gene has been a father to Avery's daddy since his own father passed away years ago, and he has always been there for us. People like him are the most amazing to me...the ones who do things out of love, not responsibility. When people like that are placed in your life, you know they must be God sent.
Like I said, another Christmas has come and gone- it all seems to happen so quickly. I am looking forward to 2013 with a hope of some amazing things. My baby boy will be here in a few short weeks (which is crazy to think about), and my Dad will be home from Houston (hopefully much better than he was when he left) a couple weeks after that. I'm praying that all of those things and people who have been on my mind and heart will welcome healing and happiness in this new year! God is good even in times of pain- He is always there and I am clinging to His promises!
Merry Christmas!
Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
