Christmas Moments

On the day after Christmas, I noticed Grant lying on his bed- awake. It was still early and usually when he's awake, he's up, so I went in to say "Good Morning." He gave me a hug and then just sat there for a minute, then said, "I'm a little sad that Christmas is already over." I hugged him and smiled and said I completely understand. I always felt that way when I was a kid, still do in some ways. It wasn't about the presents, it was about the season. Today as I was taking down our tree I started to think of all the things I want to remember about this year's Christmas season.


** The church preschool choir singing "Feliz Navidad" and knowing all the Spanish words. It still makes me smile to think of them singing out with all their hearts.

** Baby Elijah being born safe, healthy, and just on time.

** Christmas movie night- free rentals, sodas, candy, and popcorn supplied by one of my students families. Our family had such a nice time watching the movies together.

** Todd bringing home a surprise Eggnog Latte from Starbucks on Christmas Eve.

** Feeling the baby's first movements during the holiday season- started right after Thanksgiving.

** Crystal's left/right Christmas ornament exchange. I like that so much better than dirty Santa. :)

** Kim's white lasagna

** Our community group Christmas party

** The 12 days of Christmas surprises for Grant. They were just little, but he really enjoyed them. They really helped build the anticipation.

** Baking

** Lots of extra family time

** Watching Todd and Grant up on the roof hanging Christmas lights.

** Playing dominoes with Granny and Poppa

** Being able to talk to my brother in Kuwait on Christmas day

** Another new niece being born safe and healthy.

** Knowing that Grant put in some of his own money to buy one of my gifts because he wanted to get me a bigger gift card. That act of selflessness was the really the best gift a mom could get.

** The time spent pouring over our ornaments, remembering who gave them to us and what was significant about each one when we hung our tree at the beginning of the season.

I'm already looking forward to next year!

Strange Way to Save the World

This has been my favorite Christmas song for a long time.
Happy Christmas Eve!

Strange Way to Save World
by Mark Harris

Sure he must have been surprised
At where this road had taken him
'Cause never in a million lives
Would he have dreamed of Bethlehem
And standing at the manger
He saw with his own eyes
The message from the angel come to life
And Joseph said...

(CHORUS)
Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade
Why Him, with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she's just an ordinary girl
Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the world

To think of how it could have been
If Jesus had come as He deserved
There would have been no Bethlehem
No lowly shepherds at His birth
But Joseph knew the reason
Love had to reach so far
And as he held the Savior in his arms
He must have thought...

(CHORUS)
Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade
Why Him, with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she's just an ordinary girl
Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the world

Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the world
...this is such a strange way to save the world.

What I love about this time of year....

It's been so busy that I feel like the season is passing too quickly. Our Christmas break from school officially began today. Now I want to jump into the spirit of the season with both feet. Here are some of the things I love most...

* The reminders of Jesus

* Getting Family picture Christmas cards in the mail. I love to see how the kids have grown and how families have changed. They always make me smile.

* Reading Christmas stories together each night- some of our favorites include The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado, Olive the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh and The Grinch who Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss.

* Christmas music playing everywhere.

* Traditions-

* Christmas ornaments and the stories behind them

* The parties

* Having a good excuse to share gifts with the people we love

* The food, oh the food.

* Watching Christmas movies

* Taking the Christmas lights drive in our pjs with hot chocolate. It's hard to talk Todd into the pjs, but he is usually a good sport. This year his Christmas pj's are plaid pants, so it may be harder this year.

* Baking

* The anticipation- it still gets me and I'm all grown up. Now it really doesn't have anything to do with "What will I get". It's something more.

* Family time

* Watching the surprise on the faces of Grant and all his cousins on Christmas morning when they get "that gift" they really wanted.

* The excitement in the air- you can almost feel it.

* The memories that are made every year.

5 for 50

Several months ago I posted about the 5 for 50 program that Children's HopeChest has started.

Check out Tom's blog to see what incredible things are happening.

The more food we are able to provide, the greater the chance that lives will be saved, not just from hunger, but also from unspeakable abuse.

Loving people in tangible ways, meeting their physical needs, sharing the love of Christ- this is what church looks like to me.

Randomness Monday

Here are some of my random thoughts...

1. If you need to order anything online this Christmas season try Amazon.com first. They have great customer service. One of my packages was lost by the post office. Amazon is sending me a replacement package, no questions asked. You can't beat that.

2. This weekend I started feeling the baby move for sure. That is just such an amazing gift.

3. Hobby Lobby has Christmas wrapping paper 50% off this week.

4. Facebook is a great way to stay in touch with long lost friends.

5. I love getting Christmas cards with family pictures in them. I got two today. They just make me smile.

6. We set up my Willow tree nativity set (which I love) this weekend. Put lights on some of the bushes out front and hopefully will get our Christmas tree today or tomorrow. I plan to post pictures soon.

7. I'm making something with cheese in it for dinner. I'm really wanting a comfort food meal.

That's all for now.