Christmas Season Thus Far

It's been a busy month so far, but an enjoyable one. I struggle with Christmas now. I've always loved Christmas, and I love watching my children enjoy Christmas, but something about the whole season makes the hurt of losing Levi hurt that much more. Most days, I simply enjoy the season, but sometimes, a little something will remind me of him and my heart aches in wishing he was here.

Like in seeing Santa...

Or decorating the Christmas tree...

 Maybe it's the extra time we spend together as a family and the obvious void he leaves. Maybe it's the remembering of those in need that brings him to mind so much. Maybe it's all the songs on the radio. Whatever it is, aside from his birthday, Christmas is when I miss him the most. I'm learning to live with it though. This is the first Christmas I haven't dreaded since his passing. I absolutely adore the faces of my living children as they count down the days. Aidan wakes up each and every morning asking to add a piece to his advent calendar, and then announces to all who will listen the number of days left until Christmas morning. He's so excited to place baby Jesus on the manger and celebrate the Savior's birthday. That is enough to make my heart happy.



Today was the Christmas program at preschool. Aidan, Luke, and Greyson all were in it and sang four songs - Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Come on Ring Those Bells, Away in a Manger, and Wasn't That a Mighty Day. It was really cute.

Luke and Greyson on the 2nd row

Aidan on the back row

 Afterwards, there was a cake and punch reception in the gym. Megan and I attempted to snap a few photos of our guys.

Quinn is wearing an outfit I made for Aidan's first Christmas. Quinn is a few months older than Aidan was when he wore it, so I need to move the buttons down a bit so it's not quite so snug on him. I'll take a better picture in it later. I always was proud of it because it was the first clothing article I ever sewed mostly on my own.

And now for a series of pictures. These kind of remind me of some my mom has of us as kids with our cousins.