A Holiday to Remember

This year, we decided to do Christmas a little differently. Instead of wrapping up toys and gadgets, we sent our daughters on a scavenger hunt, each clue leading them closer to a surprise destination. Their excitement grew with every step, until finally, they arrived at the store—and discovered we were all getting new bikes!

With the weather on our side, we spent the day riding together, laughter and Disney classics filling the air. There’s something magical about singing your favorite songs while pedaling alongside your family, the wind carrying your voices (and maybe a little off-key chorus) down the street.

But the true heart of this story belongs to Emily. She’s reached that age where training wheels feel like a thing of the past, but the leap to two wheels can be daunting. Frustration bubbled up as she tried, again and again, to find her balance. Yet yesterday, something changed. I asked her if she’d practice one more time. She agreed, but before she started, she paused and said a prayer, asking for help in learning.

And then—she did it. Everything clicked. Emily called me, breathless and glowing with pride, to announce that she’d ridden for two minutes straight. Travis and I practically flew down the stairs to watch, and her sisters ran to join her, cheering her on as she pedaled with newfound confidence.

This holiday, we gave Emily the gift of perseverance. But as I watched her ride, I realized she gave us all a gift, too: a reminder that courage, faith, and a little determination can turn frustration into pure joy.

Here’s to embracing new adventures, believing in ourselves, and celebrating every small victory—together.