I have been in the Christmas spirit more this year than ever! I know a big part of that is due to the gift of Reaves and knowing that we were going to be able to begin to make memories and start traditions for the years to come. He will get an ornament each year for our tree, we will leave cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer, and we will read him the Christmas story from the chapter of Luke! Below I am posting several pictures of Reaves celebrating his first Christmas throughout the month of December. He has been such a blessing to us!
This year we were also blessed with the birth of our niece on Christmas Eve! Tatum Oliva Cataliotti joined the world at 3:03 am early Christmas Eve morning. We are so proud of John and Sara they are going to make the best parents! What a special Christmas gift! We can't wait to hold her and kiss her sweet face!
(Pictures to come)
However the best Christmas gift this year and every year is FREE and will last FOREVER! The birth of Jesus Christ is the greatest gift you will ever receive. I've known this my whole life but the story of Hallie Lynn Green made that gift seem more real to me this year more than ever. Hallie left this world to be with Jesus early Christmas Eve morning. Although I've cried and cried reading her story it has strengthened my relationship with Christ as he has worked on my heart more than ever over the last few weeks.You can read about her story http://thelittlegreenfamily.blogspot.com/ I'm not sharing this story to make you cry because you definitely will cry, but I wanted to share her story this Christmas to encourage you have hope as Hallie's dad Chris says "Our "Hope for Hallie" is that people would see life as a gift, and draw near to God." Thank you Hallie Lynn Green because of you I see the life of my seven month old son Reaves, my niece Tatum who was born yesterday on Christmas Eve, and all those we know and love as not just a gift but a precious gift, and have drawn closer to God over the last few weeks than I have in a long time!
Hallie Lynn Green (picture from their blog)
A Christmas Blessing
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
