Our White Chrismtas!

God really did bless us with more than we could ask for this Christmas...a healthy family, extra days off for daddy, both sets of grandparents and an aunt here to share Christmas morning with us, a tree surrounded by gifts, enough snow to make a snowman...and the best gift of all, His Son, Jesus! The kids and I kept ourselves busy all week, waiting for our company and the big day! We played with friends, decorated Christmas cookies and gingerbread houses, ran errands, and watched Christmas movies. Finally, our first guest, Aunt Betsy flew in from Boston on Wednesday night. Trip and Mady were so excited waiting for TJ to bring her home. They kept going to the front door every 5 minutes to check and see if she was here yet! They nearly knocked her over as she tried to get in the door. She and TJ somehow managed to settle them down for bed that night (I went to dinner with a friend). The next morning, we all loaded up in the Jeep for it's last family outing and went to Chuck E. Cheese. I'm not sure who had more fun playing games...the kids, or TJ! We got about twice as many tickets as we usually do, so the kids had lots of fun picking out their prizes. After the kids went down for naps, TJ and I left to go "look at" a minivan. We brought it home that night and Trip named it Rex! I still feel a little strange driving a minivan; I swore I would never do it. But, I must admit, it is so family friendly and the kids love it! They kept jumping around screaming, "we got Rex!" We took them for a spin that night, around the neighborhood to see the Christmas lights. Friday was Christmas Eve. Trip came into our room that morning and wished TJ and I a "Merry Christmas!" We were both a little alarmed, thinking he thought it was the big day, but he just wanted to say it early. :-) TJ's parents got in around lunchtime that day, and mine came down during naps. We enjoyed a chili dinner, and then loaded up Rex to head out to our church's Christmas Eve service. The service was lovely, as usual. The best part is watching the kids as we all light candles and sing silent night. It is so pretty to see and hear. Mady had two precious moments at the service that I will never forget. First, the pastor began the service by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. The congregation responded "Merry Christmas" back to him, and about 5 seconds later, Mady, all alone, yells out "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Then, near the end of the service, we were reciting the Lord's prayer. TJ says this with the kids each night before bed, so they both know it. Mady was saying it along with the congregation, but a few beats behind. Then, as we all finished up, Mady, in her sweet loud voice, all alone again, says, "Forever and Ever AMEN!" Adorable! Gotta love a girl who gets into church. We came home, had candy and hot chocolate and watched the Grinch. Trip loves that movie. Trip was so concerned that if he didn't go right to bed, Santa would not come, so he wanted to go straight to bed, no book to read, lights off right away. It was great! The adults hung out for a bit, and then TJ, Betsy and I put all the gifts out for the kids. This year was much less labor intensive than last year. We were in bed by midnight! I have no idea what time Trip woke up on Christmas morning, but he was so good, he stayed in his bed until he heard my mom in the bathroom around 7 a.m. TJ's parents got here around 7:30, we woke Mady up and the madness began. It is such joy to watch their sweet faces as they come downstairs and see their gifts from Santa. After playing with those for a while, we moved onto the gifts under the tree. There were so many under the tree, both kids got bored after a while, watching adults open gifts too, so we just gave them a pile and let them rip them all open! We had a delicious lunch and then we all took naps! I think that might have been my favorite part. :-) It was such a treat to have so many loved ones with us this Christmas! It snowed Christmas night and more the next day, so we had to postpone our gift exchange with Graham and his family. Nothing like saving more presents for later! So many wonderful memories were made this year and there are more still to come. As I reflect on a busy, fun, joyful weekend, my prayer for our children is that they never forget the reason we are celebrating Christmas. That they always know that it is the birth of Jesus we are rejoicing for! Merry CHRISTmas!!