Merry Christmas

I have to say this Christmas day was a lot more enjoyable then last year.  At this time last year we were trying to divide our time between our kids at home and Bella who was 2 weeks old in the NICU.  By this time in her short life we had already been told to prepare to let her go.  We were still playing the minute by minute game and dreading every time the phone rang, worrying it would be the hospital with bad news.  We were watching our little girl struggle for each breath.

Today was completely different.  Bella is home and a whopping 11.8lbs.  She is breathing good and trying to get better about eating.  She smiled and played with the wrapping paper.  We were able to gather all four of our children around the Christmas tree and enjoy being together as a family, no rushing to the hospital!  We stayed in our pj's all day and munched on goodies.  It was just how I wanted to spend the day, with my little family.

This last year has been hard for me and yet at the same time one of the most spiritual years of my life.  Because of Bella, I have come to know my Savior in a way that I never probably would have without her.  I learned more about what the Atonement means to me in my life.  I have come to appreciate the gift Christ gave to each of us through His birth and His death and resurrection. 

I still struggle with the "whys" sometimes.  Why the early birth?  Why the struggles to reach milestones?  Why the cerebral palsy?  Why the trouble gaining weight?  Why her? 

But then I remember that God knows Bella.  He knows what she is capable of.  He sees the eternal plan for Bella.  He sees what we can learn from having her in our lives.

My goal for 2013 is to not ask why.  But ask "What can I learn".  I want to never miss an opportunity to revel in the miracle that Bella is.  I want to rejoice every day in her smiles.  I want to hold her close and help her become who God intended her to be.  I want to help all my children reach their potential.  To remind them, that they are great in the sight of God, and to their parents.  I want to take each day to teach them about Christ and that through him all will be made right.  Maybe not in our time but absolutely in His time. 

I 2013 to be a year of service.  I want to give back to all those who reached out to our family this last year.  We have been so blessed to have good friends and family who love and support us.  May we all have a blessed new year!!

Merry Christmas from Bella Grace and the rest of the Price clan!!