Happy Birthday! And Just Like That, She’s 16!

Happy Birthday, dancer girl!!!
And just like that, she’s 16.

I am not sure where the time went or how we got here.
But here we are.
Our beautiful Christmas baby. 


Born when things were different. 
When death and cancer had not knocked on our door. 

A time when I spent waiting. 
 Breathing in deep promises of what was to come. 
 Moments of sitting and pondering. 
Heavy with child. 
The holiness of the season. 
Anticipation. 
Reflection. 
I resonated with these words Mary proclaimed. 
Luke 1:46

And Mary said:

What did Mary experience in those days prior to the birth. 
Much of it was in traveling. 
How did she manage?

I sat and I pondered these things as the baby within me grew. 
I remember those moments so well. 

Now. 
16 years have passed. 


This lovely young lady is to be celebrated.
Her deep blue eyes and beautiful smile melt my heart. 
Her kind and gentle ways are a joy to all. 


As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior I am grateful for a Christmas baby. 
The time spent in holy quiet during those months before her birth were a gift. 
A time I cherish. 

So much of the Advent Season now is spent in scurrying and hurrying. 
I too fall prey to the hustle and bustle. 
This year seemed more that way. 
So many things going on each day. 
Good things. 
Kids. 
Schedules. 
Events. 
Nothing bad. 
All good. 
But so much time. 
And it evaporated. 
Like that. 
And here I am on Christmas Eve morning with a huge list of to do’s. 
I recoil at the amount I still have to do and I begin the self bashing. 
I should have been more organized. 

But would I have given up the hour at midnight the other night when kids were here playing cards and we talked? 
No. 
My wrapping should be all done. 
But would I give up driving the kids to school and dance at 6 am. 
No. 
Our neighbors peace offerings, because our cows trample their lawns, kids made loud noises with big equipment at all hours of he day, are still here on the bench because we went to church and ate lunch together.

Things may not be the way I want them to be. 
But what we have done is a gift. 

The wrapping will get done. 
The gifts delivered. 

It’s time to step back. 
Remember; 
Walk in the holiest of the season. 



It is our 6th Christmas with out our farm boy. 


We practice how to walk without him. 
Choosing each day to seek the holy. 
A reminder of the gift given for all. 
If you do not know this most precious gift we’d love to share. 

The farmhouse will begin stirring soon. 
There is birthday breakfast to get together and a house FULL of young people. 

It may not be all perfect but it will be good. 

Happy Birthday to our Christmas Angel.