Merry Christmas, Briana

Dear Briana,

Tomorrow is Christmas. We are getting excited. I finished wrapping gifts last night and will be baking cookies from scratch tonight, then going to church for Christmas service. I am thrilled about seeing Avalyn wake up in the morning grumpy as always, but then becoming excited when seeing her gifts under the tree. She absolutely loves unwrapping presents now that she is capable of doing it mostly on her own. Brian and I will probably end up letting her unwrap our own as well. So tomorrow will be fun, not only because of the presents, but mostly because of the family. It's nice when family can get together and enjoy each other's company. Avalyn will have fun playing with her cousins for sure.

I will always wish that we were able to have Christmas (many) together. Your daddy and I will be thinking of you and missing you tomorrow, and tomorrow's tomorrow, and the next and so on. I only hope that many others will be thinking of you as well, as I am sure they will. You have enriched many lives, even with only spending a few months here with us. I can surely say you have thoroughly enriched my life and my heart. I get comfort in knowing you will be spending Christmas with the Almighty. Without him, there would be no Christmas. We celebrate tomorrow because of Jesus, his birth, and his life. I will be thinking of you and him and all who I love.

Merry Christmas

As always,

Mommy

Wintertime Blues

Dear Briana

Your sister is in nap time slumber and here I am thinking about you. I am so happy to have a moment to remember you and look at your pictures. These moments don't come often as your sister keeps me on my toes and of constant vigilance. She is a little chatterbox nowadays as her vocabulary and personality are both growing enormously. She really doesn't care to play by herself so she is always pulling at my shirt and hands telling me to come play in her room with her toys. We spend lots of time in there reading books, building blocks, singing and playing games. Sometimes I wish I had more time for myself, but in reality, little time is what's best for me. I need to stay busy to keep myself right. Still, I love these sweet, short moments afforded to me, as I can think and reminisce of our sweet, short moments we had together one Spring some time ago - the Spring I held you in my arms just as tightly as I now hold you in my heart. In my leisure time, my mind often scans through our moments together without even a trigger or a thought. I often see you in nature or in places in my day-to-day life. My body craves to remember you because I need you. And then I think of you for a while, I see your bright blue eyes staring at me, I see you reaching out to me, I can even still feel your skin to my lips....for a moment...then your sister calls for me, and I have to go....and that's what is best....but I will see you again.

With much love and sadness,

As always,

Your mommy