And The Stockings Were Hung

Yesterday was super busy. With Little Miss' imminent arrival, we've been trying to get some last minute things done.  So I laid out the drawers for her dresser and finished giving them their second coat.  We opened the mattress and put it in the crib.  The bags for the hospital got packed the night before and placed next to the door, ready for go time.

And then we tackled the biggie...the sitting room.  After cutting the rug pad, measuring everything 10 times to make sure the rug was placed perfectly even on both sides of the fireplace, and laying down the rug (with at one point me lying across one end while he straightened), it was time for furniture.  We live in a row home, with long, narrow levels.  So while our living room is actually quite large and spacious (since it's been modernized...originally it probably would have been a quite small parlor), it's hard to figure out furniture configurations.  What we had originally planned did not work (no way to get to actual sitting space when we tried putting the tree by the window), so in the end we moved the sofa and love seat 3 times.  Oh yes...with G getting a bit testy about me helping though he knew well enough that he couldn't move the sofa without me at least guiding it. 

So the sofas were placed and the tree came downstairs to go up and this monstrosity of amazingness was in place.  I jumped up on the love seat to hang the stockings from the windowsill.  We turned the electric fireplace on for some coziness and it was done.  We headed to bed, tucked under the duvet we brought out for the first time in forever (last year was too warm, surprisingly)....with Max positively pissed when we moved it from being double layered under him (he's a spoiled kitty). 

We put the tree up a bit early (though not October like G wanted) because it takes so much energy...energy we knew we might not have later on.  The garland is still boxed up to be put on the bannister.  Most of the ornaments are still nestled away...though I couldn't help myself this morning and put several of the new ones I've picked up on.  But the room is set for the coffee table to arrive today, and then the insane decorating and baking season will commence.  We're not doing much in the way of gifts for ourselves this year, choosing instead to purchase things for our home we want (how very grown-up of us, we know).  But for our daughter's first Christmas we want her to see the magic of the room lit by a tree with 1400 little lights, casting a glow that says "She's here because He came." 

So for my 21st day of November I am thankful for a God who gave me this little Christmas time miracle, a baby that a year ago I was beginning to accept might not be in the cards for me.  And as she's not even here yet and I cannot imagine losing her, I am thankful for a God who gave us His son as a representation of His love.