Introducing...

 Bennett Lehman Reichanadter was born at home Sat. November 29, 2014 at 8:16 p.m. He weighed 8 lbs and 4 oz. Bennett means "blessed" and we feel especially blessed by this little one.  The name also comes from "benediction," and Jeff has joked that he is our "final Amen!"

 He gets lots of kisses and snuggles from his big brothers and sister. 

 Emma has been so sweet with him.  When asked by her classmate at school, "Were you sad you didn't get a little sister?"  Emma replied, "No way!  I love HIM!"  She says often how cute he is and how she loves him so much. Here she is writing her spelling words three times each for school.  She's already a multi-tasker!

 We know Bennett is God's gift to us, and exactly the one God picked out for our family!

 Bennett, you are a treasure! We thank God for your life.  He has great plans for you, little one.  We pray that you will grow up to be a godly man of integrity and purity, full of passion for Him.

Christmas on Capitol

 What a month December has been!  We baked this gingerbread house (which Jeff designed to resemble our new home) the night before Bennett was born (Nov. 29).  That began our month of Advent. It's been so special to have a newborn baby boy as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel, God is with us! 

 And here is Sweet Baby Bennett.  Love.  We already can't imagine life without him.

We kept our Christmas decorating pretty simple this year. Jeff and I had a few evenings where we sat by the tree with a fire in the fireplace and the tree lit, while we held Baby Bennett. Peace.

 Emma and I loved having many women from our family join us for our annual trip to the Nutcracker Ballet this December.  Bennett was one week old, so thankfully I got to go too.

 

 Another tradition is our "Polar Express," where we get the kids out of bed and take them on a drive downtown in their jammies.  We walk around Monument Circle and end up at The Chocolate Factory for hot cocoa.  With Grandma Jan in town, we took the three oldest out for the fun.

Christmas morning.  We are thankful for these five blessings! Chap's look seems to mimic mine sometimes these days, "Wow! How did we blink and have a full minivan?!"

Merry Christmas!  May the light of Christ shine brightly for you.