Christmas is Coming, the Goose is Getting Fat...

Well, I just got my little girl to fall asleep, and wanted to record some of the events of the evening. Meredith went off to Young Women's tonight, so it was just little Ella and I holding down the fort. We started the evening watching the tail end of the movie Elf, which has become my favorite Christmas movie of all time. Will Farrell just slays me in that one. Anyway, Gabriella started to get a bit fussy at the end of the movie, so I picked her up and plopped her down in my lap. She continued to whine, so I got up and stood and held her for a few. As the movie ended, I decided to put on some Christmas music and attempt to finish putting the lights on the tree. We've been slackers this year, and have lacked a lot of motivation to get the tree put up, but I knew that Ella would be at least a little entertained by the lights. So I put on our Bing Crosby CD and began to string the lights, when I was flooded with holiday cheer and nostalgia. It wasn't so much the remembrance of specific events...just that good feeling that just naturally comes at this time of year.

So anyway, at one point I could tell that Ella was getting a little fussy again, so I picked her up. It happened to be at around the same time that Jingle Bells came on, so I started to sing with her and dance around the room. The most amazing thing happened--she laughed for me! Now I've heard her laugh before, but never at me...I was overcome with the most amazing feeling of happiness. I kept on singing, and she kept on laughing and smiling with that huge smile that she has. After we got through a couple more of the Bing Crosby songs, I came over with her to the computer and we listened to a few more of my favorites, like a bit of the Christmas Song by the Chipmunks, and then the song that is the title of my post, sung by John Denver and the Muppets. After that we got to a song called "A Baby Just Like You," also sung by John Denver. At that point I could no longer hold it in, and I wept. I am so thankful for our little baby--I can hardly believe that she's here, and I'm so excited to spend many Christmases with my little family. I'm excited for Santa to come to our little new house, even if he detours to our parents' houses for the next few. I'm so thankful for our wonderful parents who inspired us with a love for Christ and for this time of year.

As a parting idea, please go over to www.letssaythanks.com and write a quick note to our troops overseas. I wish that they could be home for Christmas, but hopefully they'll be back with their loved ones soon.
Steve