This time of year we pause (or should) to reflect upon the many, many blessings in our lives. For this post, I want to focus on an unexpected blessing that my family cannot imagine being without.  Our grandbaby, Kayden, came into the world May 17, 2011.  Though my daughter, Molly, certainly wasn't planning on becoming a young mother, she has made a great one and we are very proud of her.  Our famiily was blessed with one of the sweetest little boys to ever walk the face of the earth (I know, I sound like a proud 'Nana'; well, I am!)

Last  year during the Holiday Season, he was only 7 months old.  So, while he was cute and all, he really didn't do much.  Don't get me wrong, he did just as much as any other 7 month old, but he could not follow us around with a ball wanting to throw and catch….or have you find 'Elmo' on YouTube so he can watch the same video for a hundred times straight….or shout, "Bauc" every time he sees a banjo….or say "Ho Ho" to everything Christmas related….or…..well, you get the idea.

Tree decorating was especially fun this year.  The first time the lights were plugged in, Kayden's eyes lit up like a child at Christmas! ha ha  Actually, the excitement of those little things makes you look back and remember just how thrilling as a child it was to see the holiday lights and decorations.  I can remember coming down 'Radio Hill'  in the family car and seeing downtown West Jefferson all lit up for Christmas and getting so excited.  I hope that even as an adult, I will never forget how that feels.  Thanks to K-man, I remember.  He is doing pretty well with the tree; it has only almost been pulled over twice and only a few (non-breakable) ornaments have found their way to the floor with his help.

So far, the only packages under the tree are Kayden's.  He can't read, of course, but something about the Sesame Street wrapping paper told him these were his.  He hasn't opened one yet, but all the bows have been pulled off and taken to the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.  We are still trying to figure that one out!

While out shopping, we always stop by the red kettle of the Salvation Army to drop in some coins.  We have done that often enough now that when Kayden sees one, he says, "Money" holds out his hand for some change and goes straight to the kettle and drops it in.  He doesn't know that it is helping families in some small way, but hopefully one day he will remember doing this and know it did make some sort of difference.  Every time he drop the change into the kettle, I think about the Salvation Army folks, and others, or are working tirelessly to change the lives of people less fortunate.

As I close this post, I just want to thank God for our unexpected blessing.  As you enjoy this Christmas Season, whether your blessings or unexpected or not, please pause to remember from where they came.  Jesus Christ is the reason for the season.  Like this baby that came into our lives a year and a half ago, I thank God for sending Baby Jesus into the world to save us from our sins.