Sydney Slideshow - 5 months old :)

Click picture to play slideshow & captions (those will be in the middle)

Most of these pictures have been taken in the last few weeks, and we love how content Sydney is - this really shows how much she has changed from a very fussy/colicky newborn to a happy baby girl! Yay!!!!  Please don't miss Syd sitting up in a grocery cart for the first time!

By the way, this does not have anything to do with the slideshow, but I wanted to let you know that starting in January, I will be working on a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction for Reading. After bypassing numerous opportunities to pay for lane change credit for the staff development classes I have taken, we think it is time I take action to increase my salary for whenever I return to teaching (praying a lot about when that will be!!). Thankfully, my classes are online with Grand Canyon University, so as Sydney becomes better at self-soothing herself in napping, I will be able to work while she sleeps. :)

Snowy Weekend Movie

Click to Play

We have recently had quite the winter wonderland around town. I had fun piecing Ryan's excellent footage together to make this video. It was Sydney's first time getting close to snow. This was last weekend, but as you can imagine, our yard is still blanketed in this December beauty.

Our Christmas Letter :)

"For nothing is impossible with God. " Luke 1:37

This verse concluded the angel Gabriel's amazing talk with Mary in which he announced the birth of our Savior to her. Needless to say, he shared awesome news which may have sounded hard to believe at first, but she accepted it all with a humble servant's heart. And as I sit here typing this with a precious baby girl sitting up in my lap, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for God keeping His promises and making the impossible very possible.

We have so much to be thankful for - As I look back at past blog entries, I tend to say that a lot, but I think there are three specific items for which we are especially thankful this Christmas season of 2007. First of all, the Lord took care of Sydney throughout pregnancy and an early delivery, giving us the child we have longed for, protecting her on her day of birth when her heartbeat was being intolerant of contractions, and getting us in the OR to have her safely delivered. Next, while we are on the subject of our sweet daughter, we can joyfully share the news that her ulcer is completely healed after three and a half months of bothering her and causing much pain at times; consequently, she is so much happier now! Lastly, we are greatly appreciative of our families, who we have missed more than ever this year, but know they are close to us in our hearts. We are very much anticipating and looking forward to getting to spend time with them!

We certainly could continue on with many other spectacular things that have happened this year, but will close for now. As we look to a new calendar year, we appreciate you all and hope to get to see you soon! Please come see us if you ever have a chance to visit beautiful Colorado! Merry, Merry Christmas!!!!! :)