The Christmas Season

Since getting out of the hospital Nov 30th, we have come home with two drains draining your bile. We have changed them every four hours around the clock. You are wearing down and sick of them, but handle it with such grace. We hide them under your clothes and not many people realize. Makes me think about how we should extend grace to those everywhere. We don't know what is "underneath" it all. We need to be more mindful of that. 

You are thoroughly confused about Christmas. You told me your first Chrsitmas was last year at your foster group home, where they had a small Christmas tree. 

All those little souls celebrating Jesus' birth takes my breath away. 

This Christmas may be your second one, but there are tons of firsts! You are blown away by wrapped presents under the tree. It is so weird to you. You occasionally walk by and say "what in the world"? You cannot understand this concept. I thought I would let everyone pick out a fun print of wrapping paper to have each child's gifts wrapped in. You chose The Little Mermaid. The kids love to help me wrap the other's gifts. You were not any different, except you wanted to wrap your own. You didn't want to peek, you just wanted to wrap with that Little Mermaid wrapping paper! So, what did I do? We stuck you gift in the paper while you closed your eyes. Put a piece of tape to hold it down and then you were good. You wrapped all your own presents! Haha 

Christmas cookies were fun! Each child made a perfect little Christmas-shaped cookie. We had some mittens, a gingerbread house, gingerbread men, etc. I look over to find you making a perfect Chinese fumpling with your hands, shaping it just the way authentic Jiao Zi would look. I said with a giggle, "Joy!!!! Great Jiao Zi"! You looked at me like I was crazy and said "it's a taco"! Hahahahahah.  Nothing says "America" like "tacos" - for real!!!!!! Hahaha

You love Christmas lights and singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. You love singing Christmas carols even though you make your own lyrics at times!

To the tune of Jingle Bells.... 

"Taco Bell, Taco Bell, taa- a - aaa- co Bell"! Sigh! You love tacos, what can I say.

You sang in your first ever Christmas program at The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center. 

Your big brother is with you in choir. Also, your beloved cousin, Claudia and friend, Celia. You are making friends well. Who couldn't love you, Joy?  You walked out on stage without your normal confidence.   You held Claudia's hand during the performance. What sweet friends you have!  We talked about healthy friendships today at school and you mentioned your friends from church. They are very treasured by you. Sara always wants to sit with you (and you te same) and Izzy prays for you daily. We are blessed, Joy. 

You love to help me cook. ... Like every single meal. You told me you didn't get to do that in China. So, we cook... A lot. After I cooked oatmeal for breakfast, salads and spaghetti for lunch and roasted Brussell sprouts, mashed potatoes, meatballs, and peas for dinner, you said Baba was the better cook. "Seriously, Joy"? "When has your Baba Ever  cooked? You said "He makes the best chicken nuggets. They're reeeeeeeeally so good".  My one eyebrow went up to my hairline and my eyes pierced through your body. Hahaha. You cut me no slack and your Daddy tons. What can I say..... baba's girl!

          Merry Christmas, Joy!

                   ️Mommy