Emma was a tired little lady while we were trying to take our family Christmas photos! We were shooting 3-shot bursts on our camera and thought it was hilarious to watch Emma’s expressions change as she got more and more tired. My favorite set is the big yawn in the middle!

Merry Christmas from the Holmens!

“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Pastor Venberg at Kevin & Sandy’s church spoke on Psalm 103 the weekend before Thanksgiving. It was really refreshing to consider all of the blessings that God has lavished on my family, particularly with precious Emma. What benefits have you received from God? This passage mentions everything from forgiveness from sins and physical health to good things and renewed youth. God has truly taken me from sin and brokenness, lifted me off a path to an empty, selfish and unfulfilled life and delivered me to a blessed place.

All Smiles!

Holding On!

Emma is now one month old! It’s amazing how quickly these last four weeks have flown by. Emma is enjoying tummy time on a daily basis, is learning to shake a rattle, is tracking things, and is consistently recognizing Ben and my voices (she turns her head toward us when we talk). Emma’s smile is absolutely beautiful, and she is beginning to smile more and more…especially while she’s eating! On Saturday night and last night, she slept for 5 hours straight, and I had to wake her to eat. It’s only a matter of time before she’s sleeping through the night!