Joy in the Christmas Season

I love the Christmas season! I love shopping for gifts and thinking about what each of my loved ones might enjoy. I love the Christmas music and all the decorations. I wouldn't go as far as to say I love the cold, but I can tolerate it during this season anyway. During this season, remembering Christ's birth on this earth, I also recognize the awesome responsibility Wes and I have to raise Elise to know the true meaning of Christmas - to remember Christ's life on this earth, and his sacrifice of his life for our salvation. It can be a bit overwhelming to think about, but I know God has trusted us with Elise's life and already has a great plan for her life.

Last week, my grandfather, Papaw, went to be with the Lord. He lived a long and joyous life. Elise and I traveled down to North Carolina for the service. People remembered him as always kind and always singing. Though the circumstances were sad, Elise got to meet all of her cousins, Great Aunts and Uncles on my dad's side of the family. We've been trying to introduce Elise to as many family members as we can, so I was glad we had that opportunity.

Here are just a few pictures from the last week or two. Elise got a very cool Disney Castle for Christmas from her Great Aunt Linda, which she enjoys playing in (and I am sure will enjoy more and more as she gets older).

She has also taken to climbing into a cradle that my Papaw made for me when I was little. Here are just a couple pictures outside in cold Indiana. In one, we're taking the dogs for a walk and the other Wes is hanging up the Christmas lights.