There's always one ...

Think back to when you were a young child. It's Christmas morning, you wake your parents with pure excitement at an early hour of 6 or 7 am. You wait patiently while your parents brew their coffee and your older sisters sluggishly wake from their sleep. Eyes wide and surveying the gifts under the tree, you imagine what is found inside each box. Baby Jesus is placed in the manger, for it is the day He was born. The parade on the television begins and music full of life fills the air. Finally it's time... the time you've been waiting for, it's time to open those gifts. The time to find that one special gift.

Maybe your mornings went a bit differently, but that's exactly how I remember so many Christmas mornings spent with my family. I also remember that one special gift that could make my heart burst inside and my smile glow for all to see. Maybe it was when I got my very first porcelain doll, a clown, which I would sadly drop on the sidewalk later that day. Maybe it was Teddy Ruxpin, the bear that would read and cuddle with me. Or maybe it was the kitchen set. A baby doll. Game Boy. Whatever it was, I'm convinced there is always that one special gift.

For Abby this Christmas, that one special gift was her very first "real" baby doll. I am so glad we captured the moment with an insane amount of pictures. The excitement and surprise in her eyes is something I'll remember for a long time. The affection that she has for her baby melts my heart. It makes me so happy to see her lovin' on her baby and makes me proud that we have taught her how to love. Abby may not remember this gift years from now, but we will have pictures to take her down memory lane. In those pictures she will see the happiness that was brought to her life in that moment. The happiness from that one special gift.