Merry Christmas!

This was our first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. Darling in 2005 :)


It has been such a great day! It's been full, but from beginning to end, it's been wonderful! We are so blessed!

It started with me sleeping in an hour later than I have been. Of course this is always a treat! ;) As soon as I was ready, I went straight to the hospital and cuddled with Cale! Of course, we added in opening presents too! :) Cale was so happy while opening his gifts and so sweet with all of it. He would tell me that he loves me so much after every gift. When we were all done with them, I asked him, "Out of all of the gifts, which was your favorite?" and he said, "you!" Ahh! How sweet! He melts my heart...

About an hour later, we had a visit from Major General Robert Ostenberg. I thought it was such a great thing, that he was willing to come visit the hospital on Christmas! As I was talking with him, I really felt like he cared about what I had to say...not that I had anything important to say, but if I could have been one of those people that are so graceful with words and so mature with their questions, I knew he would have listened. ;) It was a really nice treat for Cale because whenever he gets to see someone in uniform, his eyes light up!


TJ came again today and joined us for a lunch at the Fisher House. They had sandwiches to eat and Bingo to play after. Cale and I are now Bingo addicts, so of course we had to be a part of the game! We didn't do so hot, but the lady running the game was kind enough to give a prize to even the losers! Haha!

The rest of the day was filled with air hockey, skype, Halo, dinner with the Andrion family, card games, and chocolate...so good! I really never thought I'd say this, but, video games are such a good thing for Cale. It's helping with his hands working together, he's working on being able to control his right hand, and vision. His eyes work together a lot more while he's playing. I'm very encouraged! He's even getting better then the first time with Joe. If I were to play against him, he'd beat be by a long shot! I just don't get those games!


Christmas. A story of a young woman who gets pregnant with out having sex, gives birth in a barn to a baby, that grows up and saves the world? Sound crazy to you? I realize that it does. Hard to believe? I know. BUT, this is what Cale and I believe. Both of us in our hearts believe that the baby that was named Jesus, that came from Mary's womb, was the Messiah, the Savior, the King. We believe that he was sent from Heaven by God to be a sacrifice for our sins, every single one of them. What was Mary thinking that night? Did she realize what was in store for her Son? Did she fully grasp that he was the Prince of Peace, the Great I Am? Did she feel alone after having to travel to Bethlehem?

I love the Christmas season! It's so fun and cheerful! It's full of yummy goodies and pretty music. I think a lot of people will give and help others more than any other time in the year and it's filled with (usually) happy memories. I love all the colors and decorations. I love all of the events and plays. It's all so great! With it all, let's not forget what it's really all about...a beautiful baby so many years ago, was born into this world to give us life. The strength that gets me through everyday, the God that holds us in his hand, the joy that we have, it all is because of a sacrifice that was shed for us, so that we can have the Holy Spirit alive in us today. Cale and I are so thankful for the birth of our Savior.

Here's a song that I heard today and LOVED it! What a sweet way to express Jesus coming into the world as a baby!

Winter Snow-Chris Tomlin

Could've come like a mighty storm
With all the strength of a hurricane
You could've come like a forest fire
With the power of heaven in Your flame

But You came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

You could've swept in like a tidal wave
Or an ocean to ravish our hearts
You could have come through like a roaring flood
To wipe away the things we've scarred

But You came like a winter snow
(Yes, You did)
You were quiet
You were soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Oh, no, Your voice wasn't in a bush burning
No, Your voice wasn't in a rushing wind
It was still
It was small
It was hidden

You came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Falling
(Oh, yeah)
To the earth below
You came falling
From the sky in the night
To the earth below


Merry Christmas from the Darling's!!