First.

I really wanted to write about some new Christmas decorations Alan made us, but

I didn't get home in time to get pictures.

So that will be tomorrows post.

So anyways...

this is Rowan on December 1, 2009.

This picture makes me happy and sad all at the same time.

Happy to see how he has grown and learned so much in one year.

He is absolutely flourishing these days.

But sad to know that time is going by so quickly.

(It is crazy how much I have learned and grown as well!)

Here are a few of my favorite memories of Rowan's First Christmas.

-He was so tiny! We put him in his Bumbo on Christmas morning.

He was just sitting there kicking his legs and looking at his new toys.

-We got our video camera. Alan shot the most precious video of Rowan

laying on his changing table Christmas morning. It makes me cry.

-I went crazy and bought Rowan probably like 14 Christmas outfits.

I loved dressing him up.

-We were in our apartment.

-My mom started Rowan's Christmas ornament collection.

-He had his own tree. I loved walking past his room and seeing

the glow of lights on his tree

-Snuggling my baby boy as he slept on my lap...wondering...

What did Mary feel like when she was holding baby Jesus?

Like the song says...Did she know he had come to save the world?

-Taking Rowan to Bass Pro Shop in Macon to see Santa.

I will never forget how we were all sick and I was on call...

and I was so bummed about all that too.

-Rowan started sitting up on his own.

I can't wait to see what I will be reflecting on next year.

whew....

and ahhhhhh....the good kind of ahhhhhh....

what a relief it is/was to get all that off my chest and out of my heart. :)

I cannot tell you how much better the past almost two weeks have been for me and
in our home.

There is freedom is confessing our sins one to another.

Thank you for all the sweet, kind e-mails, comments, and texts you sent my way.
Totally made my day(s) and reminded me yet again that I am not alone and indeed, loved.

With all that being said...
I am going to challenge myself to blog everyday in December...
Why, you may ask.
Because I want to document what we are doing this December as we prepare and celebrate Christmas.
And because I am so excited about a BRAND new year.
I plan on blogging about Christmas memories, traditions, decorations, songs, favorites etc.
Then on the 6 days leading up to New Years Day I want to blog about the different things
I want to learn, focus on, accomplish, etc in 2011.

Our church is going to be doing a fast in January. If you know me well...you know I am
not about missing a meal. But I am already praying and preparing for this. And believe it or not
I am so excited about it.

Ok...so...now onto my first December post...