I know I've been MIA for way too long, I've scolded myself so you don't have too. But come on I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old, and I'm exhausted, I de

serve a break. But just because I haven't been visible to the blogging world doesn't mean I'm doing nothing :)

I'll blame my absence on my sister! My sister from Rwanda and her hubby and baby boy were just here to visit for the last 6 weeks. It was so fun to feel like a real complete family again. My girls just adored their "new" cousin. This was the first time that everyone (except my Mother and I) met Valerie's little family. Appolinaire who from the Congo and is a pastor at a a local church and Benjamin who is 6 months old with the sweetest little cheeks you'll ever find! We got together often although in hindsight was never enough for me. It's been bitter sweet watching Valerie's life unfold. Bitter to essentially "lose" a sister, brother-in-law, and nephew and only visit every 2 years or so. But oh so sweet to know that they are doing what Christ has called them to do regardless of the difficulties. A servant is a great description of them.

Things with baby #3 have been great. We found out it's a boy! I was rather stunned because I had already convinced myself that I "do" baby girls only. But we are so excited! I took my hubby and sister with me on ultrasound day. What a blessing to share that with Val. Earlier I realized that this baby just may be like 2 years old before she ever gets to meet him so I wanted her to have a first look :) I've been spending my crazy days trying to rest up and pondering names for our little man. I think we've fallen in love with a first name, but the middle is proving to be more difficult. We still have time. It's just a good feeling that he will not be nameless because I was wondering for a while!!!

So there is a quick catch up on what we've been doing. I have the house all decorate for Christmas and realized how much I absolutely LOVE Christmas! The friends, family, Christmas cards, cookies for neighbors, toffee, stockings and the list goes on. Our tree reflects my childhood along with the life I've built with my little family. It's not "designer" in any way (my first few were) and I've globbed on every ornament I could find but if you look closely you'll find "babys first" ornaments from 1981 and pretty yellow and blue balls from Philip's grandmothers tree. Everyone tells a story.

As Christmas is less than a week away I encourage you to reflect on your memories of childhood. Push aside any hurtful things you remember and find the "great" things you can remember.

New jammies on Christmas eve.

Mom and Dad in their room "wrapping gifts" (yeah right, I now know why it took so long!!!)

Waiting to come out of our rooms until we were told we could.

Running down the hallway.

Christmas morning breakfast.

The Christmas story

The anticipation of holding a stuffed stocking with the cutest tiny little presents inside.

Hoarding the "loot" in a large brown box and just gazing over the gifts and trinkets for days!

Oh the memories. Which will you hold dearly in your memories forever? Which ones will you pass to your children?

Merry Christmas blogging friends!