Not Such a Fantasy . . . of Lights

But we loved it anyway.

Yesterday was our 10 year engagement anniversary. We got engaged at Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights at Garvin Park in Evansville, IN on December 30, 2001. Each December 30th, we return to Garvin Park to look at the lights and remember that special night. Every year that we've been there, we drive through the beautiful light display, reminisce about our previous visits, and dream about the year we might bring our little child with us. Two years ago, Gabriel was in my belly. Last year, we wished Tater Tot was, but were looking forward to the hope of the new year. This year, we finally had our sweet baby, AND SHE CRIED THE WHOLE TIME! She cried from the moment we drove into the lights to the moment we left, inconsolable crying. She never does that. If she cries, there's a reason, and she is easy to soothe. We pulled the car over twice trying to help our sweet baby girl. We barely noticed the lights that we pay our annual visit to. Still, at the end of the night, we both agreed, coming to the Fantasy of Lights with our screaming baby girl was way better than any other time before.

 Mommy, Daddy, and Cassidy

Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights 2011

 Mommy and Cassidy are soooooooo happy to be here!!!

Daddy tries to help Cassidy feel better. Maybe next year. And the year after that. And the year after that.

It's not just a fantasy anymore. Thank you, Jesus!

If You Don't Believe in Miracles . . .

read this: Deck the Halls, and then, look at this:

Mommy's miracle in red pajamas: Cassidy Nicole, 11 weeks 3 days

I can barely even believe what I just read when I clicked the link above that took me back to a very different Christmas just one year ago. Only the God who loves us so much and felt the same pain in His heart at us spending last Christmas without our children could mark every item off our Christmas list but do it even better than we ever imagined. We did, indeed, have a sweet little baby in red pajamas under our Christmas tree this year. We took loads of pictures, baked cookies, and opened presents from Santa. We even read Twas the Night Before Christmas and tucked our little princess into bed with visions of sugarplums dancing in her head. This year, so appropriately, Christmas was on Sunday. We got to take our little girl to church for her first time celebrating Jesus's birthday. We said, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jesus! Thank you for saving us, and thank you for bringing us our very own Cassidy Nicole." Oh, how we love her.