Grace upon Grace...

Christmas time with a baby, again, is as magical as it was 10 years ago; and at the rate we're going, will be so again in another 10 years.

Abigail Grace VanDongen was baptized on 12/15/2013. Our parish pastor, Father Rene, performed the baptism. We are thrilled that Abigail is now free of original sin and can live up to her name sake. God's Grace in our family doesn't sleep at night, feeds continually, and is full of love and poop.

The baptism was inspirational. And it happened even with Abigail's God Mother, Alex, not knowing what to say during the ceremony...good thing God understands "UMMM.....DAD HELP ME!"

Family and friends attended the baptism and the celebration at our house afterwards. Dad's brother and Pierce attended; Abigail's play buddy, William Skorut, and his family were there; our favorite aunt, Sharon with Sam and Jo; our good friends Sam and Ally; our friend Meg Morin and Cooper; and grandmas and grandpas of all varieties. Dad's good friends from the police department, Jim Spangenberg and Justin Hudson, and their families also attended...at risk of peril from entering the chapel.

Abigail's baptism was exciting. However, it was not the only exciting event of the weekend. Alex had her formal Army signing at the University of Utah on Friday 12/14/2013. Alex was sworn in. The ceremony was small, heart warming, and patriotic; young, great Americans eager to help shape the future of our great country. During the quietest, most special moment of the ceremony, Abigail decided to utter her first words ever, as loud and clear as a summer day, "UH OH!"...classic moment.

Of course no December is complete without a visit to Santa's workshop. We tried to mail Abigail to the North Pole with the Christmas letters; she wouldn't fit in the mailbox...but it sure was cute trying. Then Santa told Sam that he'd get what he wanted for Christmas...SNOW!

We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas season. Any family and friends that find these words...Merry Christmas and God Bless from our family to yours. We love you all.

Charmed

October and November 2012 have been months filled with Abi charm. Her personality is starting to blossom through continuous smiles. Although, as she ages, the sour fruit of that blossom is her ability to beacon the International Space Station with one singular scream; the 100 per day diaper changes are pretty sour too.

October ended, as it always does, with the traditional Vandongen Halloween celebration; Grandpa Max and Grandma Becky at our house eating one of Cristal's culinary masterpieces while Sam and his friend James break land speed records in the neighborhood collecting loot.

Abigail's Grandma Paulette and Grandpa Dave are Halloween junkies. They turn their house into a nightmare on Elm Street. Prior to the trick or treat event, we did our pilgrimage to their house for loot and frights.

Alex visited and celebrated with us too, sporting a super hero costume. Mom was a witch. Abigail was a pumpkin. I had a particularly good zombie costume. I participated in the Police Department's 'Trick or Treat' celebration at the police station. We commissioned a professional 'spook alley guy' to design a spook alley; and he was gifted with a make-up air brush. I was not a baby kisser that day. Sam is missing from the Halloween photo because the treasure that was awaiting him in the neighborhood was too tempting.

 

November was an exciting month because of the presidential election and others. It was also a great opportunity to teach my kids how not to behave; '...see those two guys, one of which will be president, don't act like that...' Thank you Republicans and Democrats for providing parenting opportunities...and nothing else.

It was Alex's first vote; she didn't write in her father as president. Abigail was absolutely dismayed that her father was not the write-in president elect.

We attended a harvest celebration with Travis, Niki, and baby Pierce at Pierce's school. We saw the fruits of Niki's labors as a board of directors member for her church and school. Pierce loved spending time with his cousins.

It's no secret we're a soccer family. Evidenced by Abigail's first toy, a soccer ball signed by members of the 2012 Gold Medal winning U.S. Women's Soccer Team. Along with that fanship, comes the annual investment in RSL soccer tickets. Unfortunately, that's also accompanied by the annual disappointments during playoff season. Abigail's first professional soccer game was likely the last RSL playoff game for many years to come; the boneheads broke up the core of the team after the loss. Of course, we'll continue the masochistic season ticket madness...we're fans!

The first significant 2012 Utah snow storm hit in early November. It deposited almost 18 inches in our yard. But, in true Utah fashion, the weather warmed to 60 degrees the next week and the snow base ended up in the Great Salt Lake. The ski resorts have been struggling since. With that said, as I write this, the snow is flying outside and indicators are we're in for a white Christmas.

To our delight, Abigail loved the snow. She helped Sam and I dig our house out. Then Sam showed her how Catholics make snow angels...arms and legs full of love, sprinkled with a tad of guilt.

As the Christmas season rolls along, our family thanks God for the many blessings of life. In our lives, our children are the manifestations of those blessings.

Current events demonstrate how precious, and at times, how short life is. It reminds me and my family to always show love; and never miss an opportunity to tell someone you love them.