Joy

Well, we made it through Christmas and a birthday to boot.  This year was exhausting, adjusting to new schedules and trying to keep the girls routine enough that they did not have any set-backs.  In the end, everything turned out well.

The kids got out of school on December 18th and have been playing non-stop ever since.  Things were pretty calm all week, until Thursday came.  Christmas Eve.  The kids were sooo excited.  That night we had our Christmas party at a family friend’s house and we opened our gifts.  The kids really enjoyed it but the late night and over-exciting day made Laycie very fussy.  I think she was a little overwhelmed but she slept fairly good that night.

When we got home the kids and I finished cookies for Santa.  We wrote him notes and set his cookies and milk out underneath our little tree.  Then we went outside to throw out reindeer feed (oatmeal, crushed up cookies and hot cocoa).  “This is to help the deer find our house,” Emmalee said.

After feeding the reindeer, we came in and read a few things on the computer.

The first was Selma Lagerlof’s The Holy Night.  This is the story of a man (Joseph) in search of a heat source to keep his wife and babe (Mary and Jesus) warm.  It tells how he was turned away continously and how he found one shepherd, which he amazed, that reluctantly agreed to help him.  In the end, Joseph found heat and the shepherd’s eyes were opened to the Glory and Amazement of God’s world.

The second story we read was the famous editorial by Francis Pharcellus Church: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.  This editorial was first published in “The Sun” newspaper as an answer to 8 year old Virginia’s question, “Is there a Santa Claus?”.  After all, “Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.””  The editor goes on to answer, little Virginia’s question, stating that “Yes, there is a Santa Claus”, though he may not be seen, he lives in the heart of all.  This is the joy of Christmas.

The third and last story of our night was ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, A visit from Saint Nicolas by Clement Clark Moore.  This cute little story tells of the thrill of Santa’s appearance, both physical and emotional, and brings joy to the heart of all who read it. 

It was at this point of our night that Winston realized it was “late!” and decided we MUST head to bed.  So that’s just what we did.

Christmas morning came with me waking the kids at 6:30 am.  They were happy to see that Santa left them a wonderful note and some really great gifts.  They did not get a lot, but they have really enjoyed what they have gotten.  Winston got Transformers, a Tractor/Trailer car, some airplanes, a Scooby movie and two ds games.  Emmalee got Barbie, Mulan Barbie, two ds games, a Scooby movie and a Littlest Pet Shop doctor’s kit thing.  Laycie got a toy cell phone, a babydoll, linking rings, linking heads, and wooden blocks.  They all got the traditional stocking and this year it even included some “coal” chocolate candy. 

Around 11am, we went to Grami’s and opened gifts, then went to eat at 1pm at MaMaw’s to open more gifts.  Afterwards, we all came home to nap, then got up again to eat leftovers before our day was through.  The kids were pretty exhausted and so was Mommy. 

On Saturday, (the day after Christmas) Winston and Emmalee went to visit their Dad.  They enjoyed their time with him and they were able to see both their Great-Grandmothers, which I am thankful for. 

Sunday, we rested, though we did go to MaMaw’s to eat Sunday dinner.

Monday was Winston’s 9th birthday.  It seems like yesterday that I carried him in my tummy.  I can hardly believe 9 years have gone so fast.  He had a great day and was extremely patient.  MaMaw made him a cake and everyone brought him presents.  He got clothes to lounge in and a nice suit, some fun things, and a couple of DS games.  He loved his homemade chocolate cake and his choice of pizza for dinner.  After the party, everyone relaxed in the living room and watched Sinbad (the cartoon) on tv.  It made for a really nice night.

So, here we are at today, Tuesday.  Today we are cleaning house and relaxing after the busy, busy week before the kids have to go back to school next Monday.  I have a lot to catch up with but it will all happen with time.  At least we have great family memories to enjoy!