The magic of Christmas

My Kealana Juliette,

Remember how I was mourning a early January-possibly December due date?  How could I forget the magic of Christmas???!?!!

Now, the sight of Mama Mary and Daddy Joseph make my eyes well as I feel you move inside me.  We sing Immanuel and my soul sweetens.  God is with us.  I don't know if you can ever feel that beauty more than when you're pregnant or holding a fresh from heaven newborn in your arms.  It's the miracle of miracles.  Someday I pray you will know it.

Christmas magic is pure and simple.  God is here.  God is inside us and around us and in absolutely everything.  When we sing it's the most wonderful time of the year, it's because the world actively communally commences in song that we are God's and God is with us-forever.  Of course this truth is ever present.  December is just so special because we celebrate that wonderful news together.

I was pregnant with Shadden during Christmas and it was wonderful.  But I was only in my second trimester.  Things are different in your third.  Very different.  The coming is upon you and you feel it.  I am humbled to have a New Year due date.  I get to walk with Mama Mary again...even closer this time.

I am three weeks away from holding you.  Immanuel....sings inside me.  Forgive me for my prior complaining. It it an honor to have a Christmas baby.  An honor and a blessing that pulses inside when I see a manger and remember the Christmas magic.

My birthday is the 25th so I am named Noelle Kuuipo because my mom said I was her early Christmas present.  You were prayed for dear one before your arrival.  You're Nana said I must have another baby because I so dearly love being a mom.  Her prayers were answered.  Not only am I pregnant with you, but God has overseen every detail of this pregnancy and graced it with favour.  My mom and I stood in her kitchen with me begging her to tell me if she thought you were a boy or girl.  She just said this is your Christmas baby, just like you were mine.  I begged and pleaded harder searching her eyes for an answer.  She closed her eyes and held onto you with both hands in silence as I waited and she felt it out.  Then, she opened her eyes and said affirmatively grinned, "it's a girl."  Estrogen is powerful.  It makes me crazy grateful for my mom and crazy giddy for the birth of my own Mommy-Daughter relationship to begin.  The word crazy is in their for a reason.  Estrogen is powerful!  One minute I feel like I can't wait another day to cuddle you close.  The next I am scared how I will ever be able to take care of you and Shadden simultaneously!

Thank you Lord for Baby Jesus.  You are with us.  You are with me.  The star shines, the angels sing.  You are with us...always.