and the stockings were hung...

Two Christmases ago (2007), Nick and I had just started to try to have a family. As I took down the Christmas decorations I just knew next year as I would be decorating I would have a little baby on the floor, or at least be big as a house so I couldn't do much. Well, 2008 Christmas came and Nick and I were making plans to see a fertility specialist. And as I hung the stockings that year I just knew we would have a baby in our house for Christmas 2009.

So, here we are Christmas 2009 and I was hanging the stockings tonight I hung mine and Nick's (and Addie's and Barley's). And then I got out one more stocking hanger, for our SON!

It's different and not at all what I thought our first Christmas with a son would look like, but here we are. And surprisingly enough, we couldn't be happier. Yeah, I wish he was here, his home, for his first Christmas. It's going to be hard to celebrate knowing my son is half way (well, more than half way) around the world without his forever mom and dad. There is no place I'd rather be than with my son for his first Christmas.

We have four stockings hung on our mantle and Bates will be getting his MawMaw stocking this Christmas.

It's a tradition in our family to get your MawMaw stocking for your first Christmas. If you marry into the family, you get your stocking either on your first married Christmas, or the Christmas you are engaged. It's so special to our family and we all treasure our MawMaw stockings!

So this Christmas, the stockings are hung, but there is a place left for Bates' stocking, right in the middle of the mantle.

What a metaphor for our hearts and lives. Our lives are moving forward, the day to day life, but their is a place in our hearts that are empty, waiting and anticipating our son's arrival home.

His stocking will be hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that he will soon be here!