Joyful, Joyful

Sporting his new sweater from Aunt Katie

Christmas morning with Samuel

Mimi can't get enough of this guy

Two of his favorite peeps - Aunt Katie and Uncle Rudy!

Katie and Jolly in their Birthday shirts

I sit here happily reveling amongst the remnants of our Christmas celebration. My cup overflows with the joy of my son, who I've been praying to have for quite some time and now sleeps in the room next door, together with a husband I love and treasure more every day and the special blessing of having my mom and dad all to myself for the better part of a week. If that isn't enough to make a holiday merry, we had a fantastic meal together with Katie, Ryan, Bruce and Cindy on Christmas Eve and visited (and engorged ourselves) into the night - we have amazing people in our life. I feel myself becoming a nicer person by osmosis when I spend time with the Jenkins! Christmas morning treeside will be a treasured memory, too. Samuel woke up happy - he must have sensed it was a special day. He grinned and cooed as we opened his presents and ours and flashed them in front of his precious face. Needless to say his pile was the highest, our family can't help but spoil its newest addition - including Aunt Katie who knit him a beautiful new sweater, an original pattern she made just for him. This is how the holidays are meant to be! As they come to a close I'm grateful to know the hope and joy of the season is meant to last, just like the life Christ came to give us. Hope your Christmas was merry and your new year is happy, too!

Samuel's First Laugh

hey guys this morning we were playing with Samuel and Jolly got him laughing for the first time.

What are your Christmas traditions?

Jolly and I had a blast decorating the house and making treats for friends the past few days! We even got our first good blanket of snow, which provided a great backdrop for our family Christmas photo. Since this is our first Christmas with Samuel, we've been recalling all the things we loved about Christmas when we were little - trying to decide what the special traditions will be for our family over the years. I really loved the little nothings tucked inside stockings growing up. I even decided somewhere along the way that my mom and dad should get stockings too - it originally was just for the kiddos. Jolly liked doing plays with his cousins and celebrating with all the family - these are both things we'll incorporate somehow. My friend Laurel grew up with a tradition of turning the lights off on Christmas eve and playing games and visiting with friends and family by candle and firelight - I really like that idea! What special things do you remember, or do as a family now?