Heavy Hearts

As most Americans and parents, our hearts have been heavy for the last week since first hearing of the horrible tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  I have had a pit in my stomach for a week, and I can't keep my thoughts from wandering back to those families as they have to face the happiest time of year with a huge hole in their hearts!  I cannot begin to imagine the pain they are feeling.  No parent should ever have to endure that loss.  I pray for comfort and peace for all of them right now! 

We have been preparing for the Christmas season, and we have a little girl that is getting very excited!  She still has no idea what's going on, but she knows just enough to know it's going to be awesome!  We can't tell her specifics of our travel plans or visitors until it's the day before or so, or she can't handle the wait!  We have been reading "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" every night this week, and they have been talking about the meaning of Christmas at Holly's.  I'm trying to savor the little moments and conversations.  I'm so excited to see how it all unfolds for her...it's going to be wonderful! 

We were at the mall shopping for my birthday gift a couple weeks ago, when Delaney spotted Santa Claus.  Last year's visit didn't go well at all, so I wasn't pushing her.  She said she wanted to go see him, and there was only one person in line!  We went for it, and she did a great job!  She hopped right up on his lap and listened intently.  He told her she needed to listen to her Mommy & Daddy, pick up her toys, and go to sleep at night when we say it's time!  He knows her sooo well, he had me believing!  What a great Santa!?!

We busted out the new Christmas PJs one night, and Delaney got SOOOO excited!  I told her to smile, and this is what I got!  Some of her family members have mentioned a resemblance of the Grinch with that grin! 

Delaney loves candy canes, so she got a special treat after lunch one Saturday a couple weeks ago!  Girlfriend was in heaven!

Don't let this angelic picture fool you, this little one is still walking a fine line between naughty & nice.  December has brought the terrible twos back out in full force! 

We did a family bake day last Sunday, so we could take some treats to our neighbors!  Delaney was a great assistant with the sprinkles! 

Much to our surprise, we got a treat on our doorstep shortly after delivering some treats of our own! 

Last night, we got our first snowfall of the season.  We have been in blizzard warnings for the past 18 hours.  We were lucky compared to some, we didn't lose power and we all made it home safe last night.   Delaney can't wait to go play in the snow tonight!  We are going to get that White Christmas after all!