We had a Christmas program at church last week, called "Women at the Well". It's a musical program about the Savior's love for women that highlights several women from the scriptures. I was asked to sing Mary's song called "Miracle From Heaven." Of course, it's a song Mary sings about her son, Jesus Christ. That in and of itself would have made it hard for me to sing. But then you add on top of that, the things I've experienced this year and it was a true miracle that I was able to sing it without bawling all over the microphone! Here's some of the lyrics that had a double meaning for me:
I would see my Son rise to greatness, but now He's risen home to thee
He was my miracle from heaven, A wondrous miracle.
Miracles - I've known His miracles!
He has drenched Himself in our suffering that our suffering might not be.
He brings this miracle from heaven for all who will believe!
We need His miracle from heaven - Son, work this miracle for me.
I don't mean to take away from the meaning of this song by comparing the lyrics to what I've been through this year. For me, it made the lyrics MORE powerful and made me MORE grateful for the miracle of our Savior. It was hard to sing, but a great way to start my Christmas celebrations.
As for Flint, he is finally gaining weight at a steady pace and is now over 10 pounds. He gained almost a whole pound in 9 days, so he's starting to make up for lost time and is getting a little chub on him. He is so smiley and loves cooing and "talking" to us. I tried to post a video of him going at it, but apparently Blogger has a "glitch." Trust me though, he is so stinking cute and has TONS of personality!
I don't mean to take away from the meaning of this song by comparing the lyrics to what I've been through this year. For me, it made the lyrics MORE powerful and made me MORE grateful for the miracle of our Savior. It was hard to sing, but a great way to start my Christmas celebrations.
As for Flint, he is finally gaining weight at a steady pace and is now over 10 pounds. He gained almost a whole pound in 9 days, so he's starting to make up for lost time and is getting a little chub on him. He is so smiley and loves cooing and "talking" to us. I tried to post a video of him going at it, but apparently Blogger has a "glitch." Trust me though, he is so stinking cute and has TONS of personality!
He's also finally able to lay on the back of his head. This probably seems totally insignificant to anyone who's had a baby, because it's something I've taken for granted with all my other kids. Babies should spend most of their "resting" time laying (lying? - I really don't know) on the back part of their head, as opposed to the side. To do that though, requires muscles strength. This has been an extra challenge for Flint because he's been so skinny, and because his head is so much bigger than the rest of his body (right now, his head is in the 50th percentile while his height and weight aren't even on the chart). This has been the main goal of his therapy to this point, so we've spent a lot of time each day "exercising" him to help him build those muscles. By exercising, I really just mean playing in a purposeful way, but it's all about strengthening his muscles. His head almost always flops over to the side, because it's just so hard to keep it up. Now he's finally able to keep his head where it needs to be! This is especially important, because many other developmental milestones come much easier when a baby can "center" himself - things like tracking with their eyes, comforting themselves, bringing their hands to the center. Anyway, it's been fascinating to learn and I wish I had known these things with my first 4 children! We just take so much for granted!
Most of the Christmas preparations are done and we're just ready to celebrate. Davis and Duke performed in a Christmas recital on Saturday and both did an AWESOME job! They are great pianists and I'm so proud of how hard they work to be able to play the way they do. It is not easy to get up at 6 AM every morning so you can practice the piano, but they do it each day with a great attitude. Gage had his school Christmas program the other day and was the cutest little angel you'd ever see. And Trayson has continued to fill his roll as "older sibling supporter," though we can now add the title of "best big brother EVER" to his list of attributes.
Since I doubt I will write anything else before Christmas, I want to wish everyone a wonderful celebration! This year has been one for the books for us, and I wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything. There have certainly been trying, scary times for us but through it all, we have felt our Heavenly Father near. This year, more than ever before, we are grateful to celebrate our Savior's birth. We joyously share that His miracle birth, life, and resurrection have made all the events associated with our miracle birth so much easier to handle! Truly, "He has drenched Himself in our suffering, that our suffering might not be!"
Most of the Christmas preparations are done and we're just ready to celebrate. Davis and Duke performed in a Christmas recital on Saturday and both did an AWESOME job! They are great pianists and I'm so proud of how hard they work to be able to play the way they do. It is not easy to get up at 6 AM every morning so you can practice the piano, but they do it each day with a great attitude. Gage had his school Christmas program the other day and was the cutest little angel you'd ever see. And Trayson has continued to fill his roll as "older sibling supporter," though we can now add the title of "best big brother EVER" to his list of attributes.
Since I doubt I will write anything else before Christmas, I want to wish everyone a wonderful celebration! This year has been one for the books for us, and I wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything. There have certainly been trying, scary times for us but through it all, we have felt our Heavenly Father near. This year, more than ever before, we are grateful to celebrate our Savior's birth. We joyously share that His miracle birth, life, and resurrection have made all the events associated with our miracle birth so much easier to handle! Truly, "He has drenched Himself in our suffering, that our suffering might not be!"
