In joyful hope

There's a part of the Mass that's been on my mind lately, when the priest says "...we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ." This month, that line has really been sticking out for me. I love that the church celebrates the coming of Christ with joyful hope. Or should I say JOYFUL!! HOPE!!! Because that's how I feel when I hear that line. The priest doesn't say "...we wait in fear and trepidation..." We are to be joyful and hopeful that Christ is coming.

Tomorrow is Christmas Day and more than 2,000 years ago, many waited in joyful hope for the birth of Christ. I can't imagine all of the buzz and excitement that must have been in the air. Isn't that how every season since feels? I was at the mall today and there is just an energy right now that you can almost touch. Things just feel different this season. Even though this may or may not be the actual time of year that Jesus was born, people still get so excited about celebrating his birth. Even those who don't attend church or practice their faith regularly, just feel the anticipation of such a grand event.

I remember waiting just 4 short months ago in joyful hope for the birth of my daughter. Okay, so she's not as big of a deal as Jesus Christ but she's still pretty cool and it was the grandest event in mine and Mike's life together. I can't believe we will celebrate our first Christmas with her tomorrow and we are so excited that she is here to be a part of our family traditions now!

Today our angel is 4 months old and as Mike would say, "Well, we've kept her alive for 4 whole months." But, I'd venture to say we've done better than that.

We have an amazing little girl who is growing and learning every single day. She's discovering the world around her and we are in awe of the new things she is doing--grabbing her toes, giggling, smiling, reaching out for things, trying to sit up. And, okay, so maybe she would have learned those things if she was being raised by a pack of wolves but we still like to think we have a little something to do with her awesomeness!

Watching her take in the world around her is just fascinating. I find that every morning, when I get up, I am so excited to start the day with her. I am joyful and hopeful for what that day will bring and what her future holds.

I love hearing her on the baby monitor as she coos and grunts, trying to get out of her swaddle or roll over. I love seeing her face light up when I come in the room and look over her crib. She sleeps through the night so often now that I don't see her from about 8 to almost 7 and I miss her. Mike will probably have me crowned Queen Wackadoo for saying this but sometimes I miss those 4 a.m. wake-up calls because it gave me some extra time with her. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to be woken at 4 a.m. by a crying baby! But, I do get so excited to see her each morning. The other night, she did wake up at that time and I certainly didn't squeal in excitement. I think I said "Crap." Or some other version of that word. I don't remember exactly. I was tired. It was 4 in the flippin' morning.

Lately, I find that every day I feel joyful and hopeful about what that day will bring and I am thankful to my sweet Oli for that. I know that I was a joyful and hopeful person before her but there is something about having her here that makes me more aware of how much I have to be joyful and hopeful about. Every month, sometimes daily, things are changing and I'm so excited to see what Oli learns and does in month 5.

Tonight, we'll go to our first midnight Mass as a family of 3 and I am so excited to start  this tradition with The Boss Lady. I know I'm probably asking for a big butt kicking by taking a 4 month old out at midnight but I still want us to do this together. See, I am learning something here. Low expectations!

So now we celebrate the birth of the Savior of our world and the 4 month birthday of our very own angel. And we'll wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Lord and for whatever this next month brings.

This contraption is an eye-sore and takes up about 100 square feet of our house but Oli loves her bouncer!!!

Love, love, love this smile!

Oli loves her daddy!

She always has her hands in her mouth these days. Tried gto take a good 4 month photo of her this morning but she was more interested in her red shoes!