The Little Things

I love the Christmas season. Every tiny little thing about it. The smells, the lights, the anticipation, all of it. Even the crowds at the stores and the fact that it creeps up sooner and sooner each year. I love that the whole world makes such a big deal (whether they know it or not) over the birth of the Savior, and that even the hardest heart feels the love and peace in the air.


I especially love how each year, without fail, I always have little tugs at my heart reminding me of what things really are important, and which things I could probably do without. I love that time stands still on Christmas Day, it just seems like a little niche out of time filled with love and perspective. I always try to pause each Christmas and just drink in the moment and take a mental and emotional picture, because I seem to forget the little details of each Christmas so quickly. I rarely remember what gifts I received or gave in previous years, and I'm always surprised by some decoration I forgot I purchased when I open the rubbermaid each year. I never forget the feeling of Christmas though. I always remember it with a smile, and the whole year through I get little glimpses of Christmas joy.


It's the same with Adi. She is changing all the time and I forget the little things she does way too soon. The first few months we had her home are a blur of sleepless nights and colic but I look back on them with that same smile--knowing the moments were sweet and filled with overwhelming love. And this little blessing toddling around my house is changing every moment. I love that I'm best buds with a 16 month old little girl. She does so many things each day that I wish I could take mental pictures of to go back and peek at in the future. This is one thing that's been on my mind especially.


So, I thought I'd combine the two and write something I love about my Adi for each day until Christmas. I love the countdown excitement, and I figure this will give me a chance to accomplish two things at once. Since it's the 4th, I'll double up one of these days:)

First of all, this girl's got her favorite things. Cute picture (taken by my fabulous sister in law), but if you look really close, you'll see one of them. She's got a toothbrush in her hand. I finally stuffed it down her sleeve so she could hold it and cooperate. She LOVES toothbrushes, any toothbrush and she hauls them (yeah, she's got several) all over the house. She calls them "teeth" and giggles any time we actually brush them. Fun.