Our little angel has arrived! 🎀✨ Welcoming our precious princess, born just before Christmas! You are the best gift and the true meaning of joy. Congratulations to the IP! 🍼👑 Grateful beyond words for our amazing surrogate! 🙏❤️

Mary's Perspective

No one ever talks about the physical feelings that Mary must have been feeling today. Could you imagine riding on a donkey or a camel at nine months - or 36 weeks or 38 weeks - pregnant? I am sure that she was having beginning stages of contractions, low back pain, and without a bra (they weren't around back then); her breasts were probably engorged with no support.

Swollen ankles. Discomfort. Not body pillow to help get comfortable. No pain medication. No heart rate monitor. No testing during her pregnancy. Just the Almighty God watching over and protecting her the entire time.

She had to persevere through the unknown, trust God in the uncertainty, power through fears, and develop a love for the life growing inside of her - feeling the kicks and movement, with no reference as to what labor and delivery would look like, or what to do as a first-time mom. Can we also reiterate the fact that she was only 14?!

Then, arriving in Bethlehem, she didn't have a hospital with a doctor waiting for her. No labor and delivery room. She wasn't even indoors. Imagine the cold of winter, laying on the floor of a barn in a stable with the stench of animals all around you. Having to concentrate on knowing when to push and remembering to breathe as she pushed out a whole human - who was also the Son of God!

Instinctively wrapping Him to keep Him warm and nursing Him at her breasts, while still profusely bleeding out in pain, and uncomfortable, without another soul in sight to help. Imagine Joseph and the incredible trust he had to have and faith in God to be by Mary's side through it all, and to put his pride aside while she birthed a child that was not biologically his. Yet, still loved, and taught, and raised Him as his own.

We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of this season, but do we ever take the time to stop and really think about what was happening during the first Christmas? It had nothing to do with buying presents, increasing debt just to buy them, stressing over paying bills vs. gifts for Christmas, trying to impress or appease or out do. Nothing like that even existed. It was pure. It was lonely. It was just them and God, and the birth of a sweet baby boy.

The angels rejoiced and worshipped. The focus was on Jesus. Yes, later the wise men brought gifts, and that is sadly the main focus for everyone now. Yes, everyone is nicer and a little friendlier at this time of the year, but everyone capitalizes on the gift giving part. Jesus is the reason for this (and every) season. This is His birthday celebration. Remember that and always keep Christ in your Christmas, for there is no Christmas without Him.

It's that time again Story time Sunday Christmas Edition!

Check back each Sunday for a new story told by yours truly me Chii!

Jesus visited my stream? And blessed me???

Wanna see more shenanigans like that, feel free to follow me here:

Merry Christmas from the dome! It’s a Christmas miracle that we’re actually spending our first night in the dome tonight! So much still to be done, but we feel so blessed! Thank you to everyone for all your support! We will be working hard to get caught up with videos after the holidays. Merry Christmas and happy new year! #firstchristmasinournewhome #merrychristmas #firstnighthome #movedin #christmasmiracle #dreamsdocometrue #hardworkpaysoffs #soblessed (at The Adirondacks) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmiFJoIOqi-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Even in the midst of a #midwest blizzard my new favorite holiday decoration arrived just in time! Thanks @japanla and @100soft ! It’s a #christmasmiracle ! #dumpsterfire https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmhb_WBu5vz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#holidaytravel was even better running into my best friend at the airport! truly an act of nature that let us have this impromptu reunion! 🥹 a #christmasmiracle! ❄️ hoping everyone has safe travels home and enjoys this season!! (at Charlotte Douglas International Airport - CLT) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmhROK8gS7u/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

It was a Christmas miracle. Dog had followed the three intrepid travellers, and the rest of the entourage, in the direction of the bright and shimmering light. They all ended up at the ramshackle workshop that belonged to the rotund one. And Lo! The miracle was displayed before them all, the immaculate 10mm socket!! Dog looked, nonplussed , at the little bit of metal and decided that he still had a quest of his own. Those biscuits were his, wherever they were. Merry Christmas to each and every one of our followers. Have a fantastic time and we will see you all soon. #sprolliesofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #christmasmiracle #bikersofinstagram #bikerlifestyle #mhmotorbike #weeblesworld https://www.instagram.com/p/CmhQT32ry_d/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Christmas came early for the kitchen at the @greenhousetavernnsw when the boss got them a new @hobartequipment dishwasher. #coffsfridgie #dishwasher #christmasmiracle #nochristmasbreakdown https://www.instagram.com/p/CmV3TmfJ8-s/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Holiday gift #birdsandblooms #birdingdaily #birdingphotography #redtailedhawk #birding #backyardbirds #hawksofinstagram #birdnerd #audubonsociety #audobonsociety #plover #shorebirds #sandpiper #thebirdingsquad #bird_watchers #your_best_birds #nutsaboutbirds @connecticut_community @connecticut_fams #christmasmiracle #miracle #holidays #gift https://www.instagram.com/p/CmSukLYOYY7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#holidayparty at WoW Studios—up in the clocktower. I even caught one of the clock hands moving! 😱 #christmasmiracle (at World of Whirlpool) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl8sZyDrLni/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

My mother is a Woman of God. She’s also been looking for a new printer. This was our exchange tonight after yet another didn’t work as promised. Y’all, we need a #christmasmiracle! #injesusnameamen #textswithmymom https://www.instagram.com/p/CluoWCPs3BP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I can't be the only one hoping ((probably foolishly)) that those of us not in Japan get *SOME KIND* of love on Providence DVD release day, right? ...Right??? 😭🤞🏻🩵

#woulduglycryoverdubbed

#butevenjustasubbedstream

#comeonCrunchyroll

#ChristmasMiracles

#almsforthepoor

🌟🎅 Don't let past mistakes be the Grinch this Christmas. We're here to help! 📞 0800 088 5506 📧 [email protected] #CleanSlate #ChristmasMiracle #ReputationAce

🌟🎅 Don't let past mistakes be the Grinch this Christmas. We're here to help! 📞 0800 088 5506 📧 [email protected] #CleanSlate #ChristmasMiracle #ReputationAce