Christmas Pictures

Christmas Vacation

We've had a great first week of Christmas vacation. First stop, Sandy and Russ Voorhees (my parents) in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. We had brunch and Christmas celebration with the family including Ryan & Michelle and Michael & Michelle. Ella loved playing with the wrapping paper, tearing and crinkling it to hear the neat sound. That was more fun than the gifts themselves.

Now we are in New Jersey visiting the Emrick's. Ella spent time with her Aunt Kristy and Uncle Dave and also her Baba (great grandmother) Ellanora. And let's not forget Nanna and Pappy Emrick! Nanna plays with Ella every day! We are watching her explore a new environment and new toys. She is putting small objects into a container, stacking blocks, and creeping across the room. She'll be crawling in no time. She loves her doll babies and has said the word doll, repeating it after us. She also says Mama, Dada, and Baba, but I don't known if she understands what she is saying.

We hope you are all enjoying the week with your families too!

Christmas Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

It is with great joy that I write this letter to you! This year, we have had much to celebrate! Our biggest blessing has come in the form of a precious child.

Last Christmas, I was pregnant, and we were awaiting this new child wondering what it would be like to be parents. In February, doctors discovered that the baby had a heart defect which would require immediate surgery. We were told that this heart condition would affect our child all her life. This shook our world and life seemed to stand still for weeks. How could God let this happen to our little girl? Slowly, as we began to learn more about her heart, we chose to accept what we could not change. And we turned to our God who was bigger than her heart defect and waiting to hold and love us through this challenge. God gave us such a sweet comfort and peace through the rest of the pregnancy, through her birth, and through her open heart surgery. Many of you loved us through these months, showing your true friendship.

Born on May 2, 2007, 7 lbs, 7 oz, 20 inches long, Marcella Grace Emrick, our little warrior, made a quick recovery surprising doctors and nurses. Thanks to everyone for all of your prayers! Ella is now a healthy little girl, growing very well, who is extremely active and social. She brings so much joy to our lives! How cool is it that she can celebrate Christmas with us and even visit Santa! You can read her blog on the internet to get more details about her surgery and recovery. I also continue to post new entries each month so you can keep praying for her! There are lost of pictures to view as well. The website is www.marcellagrace.blogspot.com.

Having a baby helps us to connect with the Christmas story even more. How could a baby also be God’s son? What an amazing miracle! We hope you also are able to celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas and to reflect on WHO Jesus was and his reason for living on earth. How has God’s amazing love impacted your life?

Adventurously expectant, we greet God with a childlike, “What’s next, Papa?” We are sure that every detail in our lives is worked into something good for God. Nothing can faze us, not open heart surgery or any other struggle we can think of. We are absolutely convinced that nothing can get between us and God’s love! That’s the way Jesus has embraced us this year!

Praying you find God’s love this Christmas,

THE EMRICK FAMILY
Tyler, Christy, Marcella
and our first baby, Grayer

More Teeth

For over a month now, Ella has just had her two bottom front teeth. The drooling slowed down and we thought there would be a nice break before any more teeth decided to push their way to the surface. This week, all at once, SIX more teeth are starting to appear. Two more bottom teeth, and the front four top teeth. She's handling it pretty well and likes to chew on things, like her maple teething biscuits. She's also starting to use them to bite off pieces of things, like pickles and crackers. Her front teeth look so big, way to big for a baby, but I'm sure she'll grow into them soon. Now, we are starting the daily routine of brushing her teeth. She loves it (so far) and is much more cooperative than our dog Grayer, when I try to brush his teeth.

Ella Visits Santa

Ella was fine for a few moments on Santa's lap. Then she looked up to see who was holding her and... she lost it and started crying. She's starting to be afraid of strangers and prefers Mom and Dad. She's especially scared of men with long, white beards. How many years do you think it took Santa to grow that long beard. Yes, it's real!