A Season of Blessings

Here is our official Christmas card! Photos were taken by Carrie Johnson. Since I had them printed on linen paper and scanned the quality isn't great on the blog but in real life they are beautiful! I attached our Christmas card letter as well...

2011 was a busy year for us! We spent every weekend (literally) over the summer away from home or at a wedding. We were able to experience some great things with all of our travels including backpacking in Yosemite and climbing Half Dome (NEVER again). We enjoyed some beautiful weddings, including my brother’s, in San Luis Obispo. Finally, this fall and winter it seems as though things have slowed down. This is probably due to the fact that I’M PREGNANT! As most of you know Matt and I are expecting our first baby GIRL on April 6^th. We are so in love with Blair Olivia Bushman already. 

I have been feeling great throughout my whole pregnancy and avoided morning sickness altogether. I haven’t experienced any intense cravings although Matt might say my moods are intense sometimes. J I find that I am much more emotional about things now. Oprah, articles in Parents Magazine, and worshiping at church all open the flood gates. 

It’s amazing how much love I have for Blair already and she’s not even here yet. During Christmas time I can’t help but think about little baby Jesus and how much love his heavenly father had for him.  And then to take it one step further and realize that God has this much love for us. So much love in fact that he gave his only son for us so that we could live eternally with him. And we don’t even deserve it! As a mom-to-be I cannot fathom this. I have gained a whole new appreciation for the grace that I am given through Jesus. This new realization from a different perspective brings me to my knees and brings tears to my eyes. I encourage you to take time this season and recognize Jesus for all he has done for you. 

With Blair’s due date fast approaching Matt and I have been busy bees fixing things up around the house and shopping for baby. I’ll let you decide which one I am in charge of.  Matt has been so wonderful throughout my pregnancy and Blair is so lucky to have him as her daddy. He reads to us every night, picks stuff up off the floor for us, and massages us when we ask! And Blair is always asking for massages… Along with being busy at home Matt has been quite busy at Pacific Railway Enterprises and we are grateful for his wonderful job. My job has been great this year but I can’t say that I’m sad to get a long break coming up here in April. Actually break is probably the wrong word…

        I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season with friends and family. We love you and wish you many blessings in 2012!

Love,

        Matt, Natalie, & Blair Bushman