"Pretty Tree"

This was our first year putting our own Christmas tree up! I ordered it online on clearance in like March, and had never gotten it out to look at it at, so I was a little worried about it fitting right in our cozy house :) I think I even had some good ol prego dreams about it the night before we put it up lol. But it turned out perfect! The lights work, it fits perfect, and as Kiya says ALL the time now it's a "pretty tree!" I love holidays with this little girl. She reminds me everyday of the best things in life - which seem to always be the simplest things. This year will be our first year without family and going home for Christmas, our other baby girl has grounded us :) So it's hard - I get a little pit in my stomach thinking about it. So I made all these grand plans of all these activities to take Kiya to, not a lot of them have happened, for lots of reasons :) We've done more simple things. Kiya and I go on walks around the neighborhood at night to look at all the "pretty lights" She's really talking up a storm now, I love having "conversations" with my toddler lol! She loves this "noman" decoration I have up, and likes to drag him around by his scarf haha. She's done lots of Christmas shopping with mommy. She gets so excited by all the Christmas decorations, especially when we see Santas and snowmen :) I am so grateful for my Kiya and for her innocent reminders of the truly important things in life. That despite my lack of being the "supermom" I would love to be, she loves me unconditionally; that it's okay I haven't taken her to the amazing light show parks because my sweet little girl is just as happy walking around the block with mommy, and that a "microwave cookie" tastes just as good as the beautiful homemade ones I have yet to make. How cool is it that the love my child has for me is as unconditional as my Father in Heaven's.

This girl was so excited!