Christmas Time

My favorite part of the holidays is the overnight stay at my mom and step-dad's from Christmas Eve til Christmas night. We have carried on this tradition for the past 5 years and I believe it is well worth preserving. I don't care about gift exchanging. My children really have more than they need but the memories of meals, games, and conversations are what touches all of us. After all, relationships are the most important aspect of our life. Anyway here is a overview of our time: Christmas Eve is a more formal celebration with family pictures, nice candle-lit dinner (Grandpa always makes his meatballs and Grandma has desserts galore), White Elephant Game, and then late-night talks and games. This year we are trying something new and that is performances of music, dance, or recitation from the children. Joshua is practicing a song on his guitar, Paul and John are reciting Scripture, and Lily will sing a solo. Oh, and Joseph will take a spectacular 5-8 steps from person to person while everyone cheers. Next, we will all awake to children pestering us to hurry downstairs while we exchange gifts. Each person has drawn a name a month or so ago and will now present that person with their gift. We start from youngest to oldest so that each person will get their moment in the spotlight. The best part of Christmas day is staying in our pajamas and eating all the left overs from the night before. It won't be quite the same without Candace this year but they are coming soon for a visit. Anyways, the kids are so excited they can hardly contain themselves.

Sarah enjoyed Joe's birthday so much that a few mornings later she climbed in bed with us and I opened my eyes to see her face right in mine with a little plea of "Mommy, Pease have birfday. Peasse have cake." What an adorable age!
This week we have still continued on with school as next week will be our Christmas break. We did have a couple of breaks. One day we decorated ginger bread cookies at a friend's house and another friend invited us out for the afternoon. I have really been pushing myself to keep consistent with my schedule with John and Lily. Lily's progress continues to inch along and John has needed a little more time than the older boys to catch on. During the school day our little Sarah is in the middle of it all. I can't call it naughtiness but just wanting to be involved-which can be good if we find creative ways to bring her in. It seems I have never been so pressed and needed. I know I am in the pinnacle of the physical demands of mothering and by next year the younger two will be much more independent. I couldn't wish for time to go any quicker for they are all so tender hearted right now. The emotional, physical, and spiritual changes that are taking place in the older ones are a lot to handle also. One of the nice things about the oldest is he has become a responsible baby sitter and tonight Kenny and I just arrived back from a nice dinner date. Through it all life is beautiful as we press through into finding that place in Christ where we all belong. GRACE - GRACE - WHAT AN AWESOME GIFT FROM GOD THAT WE GIVE TO ONE ANOTHER!! There is a joy in the journey-Michael Card. (you can listen to this song-go to michaelcard.com )
Through the new year we pray you realize His grace is enough for you!!!