Isn't this the cutest baby on the planet?

Swen is 5 months old now, 27 inches long and 16-1/2 lbs. and very healthy. He's long and lean, the doctor says he's in the top 90 percentile for length(height) compared to other babies his age. Amy says he laughs all the time and has started eating baby food (carrots and applesauce). I can't wait to spend Christmas with him, and his mom and dad of course. Oh yeah, and Dan too.

Having a baby around at Christmas makes me think more about the birth of Jesus, what that must have been like for Mary and Joseph, and Mary's mom. Swen has a very nice crib to sleep in with toys and a mobile; Jesus slept in an animal feeding trough. Swen has moved once already in his life, from Show Low to Yuma; Jesus also moved to Egypt soon after he was born. I can hardly stand it when Swen cries, like when he goes down for a nap; what was it like for Mary to watch her son on the cross? Swen will be my favorite gift this Christmas; and Jesus is the ultimate gift at Christmas. Life...abundant, purposeful, adventurous life...all this from the birth of a baby named Jesus.

Joy to the world!

Debbie