Merry Christmas!

Celebrating Christmas with Tristan for the first time was such a joy. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the stresses that come along with the holidays...family coming into town, getting last minute gifts at the crowded mall or realizing that you're all grown up and Christmas has a completely different feeling now, but we all know the TRUE meaning for celebrating this joyous day, the birth of Jesus Christ. I certainly will always do fun holiday traditions with Tristan like bake cookies, watch Home Alone, my favorite Christmas movie, go looking at lights..SANTA!!! But I will always make sure that he stays grounded and remembers that although those things are fun Jesus is the reason for the season and helping others that are less fortunate is what we are called to do.

After having a family devotional with my parents and sisters we opened up presents and Santa was very good to Tristan, and me too! :) It was so fun to see his little eyes light up when one of his toys would sing a song and flash it's lights. I know that he won't remember but I took lots of pictures to show him how we celebrated his 1st Christmas. After we opened presents we went to my grandparents house and had a delicious lunch and just spent time together as a family...something that I often take forgranted.

Christmas day was amazing and my wonderful parents were so generous since I'm not working right now and unable to financially provide for Tristan they of course stepped in and not only for him but me as well. They got me a day at the spa, a blackberry, scrapbooking supplies and money. I know that they have earned many crowns in heaven, not for giving material things but opening up their hearts and home when a lot of parents wouldn't have been quite as understanding. I pray that I am as good of a parent to Tristan as they have been to me.


Tristan on Christmas Eve!


Tristan and my mom!


One of his many presents!



He's not quite able to unwrap gifts yet, so mommy helped.


My absolute favorite gift my mom got him.


My favorite present!


Tristan and I at my grandparent's house


My mom and my oldest sister, Ashley on Christmas day

A new beginning

I can't believe it is almost Christmas...and Tristan is 3 months old. It feels like just yesterday I was pregnant and eagerly awaiting his arrival. I love everything about the holidays, my family getting together and all my friends coming home from school. I look back at the past 3 months and it's been full of memories I'll never forget.

Tristan is growing and changing so much every single day. He is truly the best baby. He hardly ever cries and when he does it normally means one thing, eating time!! My baby is definitely a cuddle bug, he loves to be held and to sleep snuggled up to me so he can hear my heart beat. As he sleeps soundly and swings in his swing (thank God for whoever invented those) I realize how precious life is. My family and close friends know the journey that I have been through the past year of my life regarding my pregnancy and Tristan's birth. Some would look at the situation with little understanding or hope, but not me. I see every circumstance, good or bad as an opportunity to show God's power and grace. My faith in Christ is the strongest it's ever been and I realize that daily I depend on him for guidance, strength and understanding.

I do not regret my past, sure there are some things I would do differently if I could but there is no use in dwelling on things you can not change. I just focus on mine and Tristan's future and what I want it to look like and live my life in a manner than can fulfill that dream. It is very important for me to share my story with others and give them hope in whatever trial they are facing. Tristan Kye is the absolute best thing to have ever happen to me and I wouldn't trade him for the world. I love James 1:17, it states that "every good and perfect gift comes from above." I know that God knew exactly what I needed to get my life back on track and that was someone, Tristan, to depend on me and allow me to see there is more in this life than what I want or desire. So here is to a new beginning and a new year of living in God's will! :)


Me and my girl friends from DBU at my baby shower!


Tristan and I just minutes after he was born


Tristan wide awake in the hospital nursery!


About to go home from the hospital!


First day at home!