Merry Christmas

We have been anticipating this day for weeks and weeks. Celebrating Advent helps us to look forward to Christmas Day with more anticipation than we would otherwise. We have been talking and singing and celebrating all month - that Jesus came to earth...born a child and yet a King.

So, today has finally come, and it's not what we were expecting...three kids with a bad cough/virus, one of whom spent Friday night and part of Saturday at St. Mary's hospital following a 911 call and ambulance ride because of breathing difficulties related to croup.

This is not how we expected to celebrate Christmas, but it is how God planned for us to celebrate and He has been with us in it all....from the amazing fire men and nurses and doctors who lovingly helped Baxter to the friends who came and helped with Owen and Lucy so Matt could come to the hospital and relieve me, to our special Purdy Family Christmas Eve service at home, to our sweet/coughing/102 fever/special morning of opening presents. We have been able to just enjoy each other and in some ways I think it helps us remember what Christmas is really all about. Sweet Baxter was so fever-ridden this morning that he didn't want to open his gifts. He would take off the bow and I'd open it for him. I can't wait till the real Baxter is back, but he is still precious even when he's quite sick!

These pictures were taken Friday evening - the evening before we were in the hospital all night - on a family Christmas outing. We enjoyed dinner out and then went downtown to see some fun Richmond Christmas decorations. We are thankful to be together and have each other and have a Savior! Merry Christmas!