{Christmas morning in Los Angeles}

I flew into Los Angeles Christmas Eve night and was so so so so happy to be greeted with lots of kisses from Zack + Bauer :) My week at my parents was amazing and filled with lots of memory making. The best kind of trip home, right? I’m so thankful I was able to spend so much time with my mom/family while I was home, and now I anxiously await their visit in March when baby arrives. When Zack pulled into our driveway Christmas Eve he told me to wait near the gate, then he ran inside with Bauer. A minute later he came out + had me walk with him {with my eyes closed} to our front door. Zack led me inside, turned me around + said MAGGIE, OPEN YOUR EYES! :) And standing in front of me was our very first [live] Christmas tree!!! We weren’t going to put up a tree this year, there were so many last minute changes with flying back home to MI, would we both be going?, and then having such a tiny apartment. We weren’t even going to exchange gifts this year. Moving to Los Angeles has been…unlike anything else we’ve done. So when Zack had me open my eyes once inside our apartment, not only was there a beautiful tree {decorated with a tiny box of our most-special ornaments we had brought from Minneapolis} but there were presents under the tree!!!! I about died.

We woke up naturally on Christmas morning {love being able to do that}. I turned on the coffee pot + we snacked on cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven. Then Zack + I opened presents and my heart felt so so full. I know I keep saying this but it’s been so true for our family: this year has been a year of learning, giving more + receiving less. We have made some huge changes in 2012 and the Lord has been teaching me a lot through them. I did not expect to be opening any gifts Christmas morning — let alone be living in Los Angeles, but both came true for us this year. Even Baby Whitley received a couple of things :) What a blessing to be married to a man that values family so much.

So to the year 2013 — I’m so curious what you will look like. We already know Baby Whitley will be here around March 2nd, but the rest of the year is still a mystery :) And I’m welcoming it with open arms.