Merry Christmas!

Merry Chrismas everyone!  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas season!  I have to admit that we dropped the ball this year making the focus wholly on the birth of Jesus.  We had so many distractions this year that I feel like we totally failed on the true meaning of Christmas.  Doug tells me not to beat myself up that we didn't do the Advent candles and daily Bible reading through the Advent season, but I feel terrible that for my kids this year Christmas was selfish and all about what we have & what we're getting.  We have spent the last three weeks totally engrossed in Marlee and how happy we are that she's home.  Although that is such a blessing and we are so happy to have our family complete this year, I feel like I've done a poor job of shifting the focus on God and how he has blessed us this year.  All I can do is try better today!
Marlee was great at most of our Christmas gatherings.  She had the chance to meet most of the extended family the past 3 days and was SO GOOD!  For some reason she does a lot better in groups of people, than at home with just us.  I guess there are more people to entertain her so she's not so fussy.  At home, she cries whenever I'm not holding her, but she let the grandparent's hold her and allowed me to leave the room sometimes.  To me, that's a big deal!  My in-laws have seen her 3 times since we've been home and they commented on how she seems happier and smiles more each time they see her.  Being with her everyday we don't see the small changes.  It's nice to hear others comment on how well she's adjusting.  Everyday gets better and better.