Sleep in heavenly peace

This may very well be just a phase that won't last longer than it has, but I am excited about it so I'm posting it: Azure has been sleeping for 12 hr stretches for almost 2 wks now! Sometimes even up to 14 hrs. What is the reason for this you ask? Her thumb. I witnessed this great moment by watching her wake up, fuss a tiny bit and then jerk her little thumb into her mouth and suck until she drifted off to sleep again peacefully. Then after 12 hrs of sleep I again went in to check on her and she still was sucking on her thumb sound asleep. Beautiful! On to Christmas festivities... It snowed on Saturday and was a great way to start off the Christmas season. Even though I'm not a big fan of snow it was beautiful and I was grateful for it. We set up our little 4 foot pre-lit tree and are still in the process of decorating it with ornaments. We have been listening to Christmas music and Azure enjoys dancing around with me in the kitchen while I sing to her.
Other things we're doing to get ready for Christmas: We are taking family Christmas pictures this week, going to see A Christmas Carol with friends, participate in Angel Tree, sing and listen to the Hallelujah Chorus at our stake Christmas fireside, read scriptures about the Savior's birth "under" the Christmas tree, drive around the south, spend time with family and friends, and probably other stuff I can't remember right now.

As I've mentioned before, every night before bed Charles and I sing hymns to Azure. We've started singing Christmas hymns and the other night while singing Away in a manger my heart was touched at the humility of our Savior. As we sang the words "no crib for his bed" while looking at Azure in her cozy crib I was filled with gratitude for the worldly possessions we have.
"The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay", how great of the God of this universe to condescend below all things and sleep on hay. "Stay by my cradle till morning is nigh". And I love the 3rd verse: "Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay close by me forever, and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with thee there." How grateful we are this Christmas to have a beautiful daughter, truly a gift from God, who teaches us so much about the pure love of Christ.