Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

For the first time in seven years, we had a Christmas at home. This hasn’t happened since Addison was one year old. (That was the year my family went to Thailand for Christmas.) So this year, we didn’t travel across country. We didn’t have to pack our stockings and presents in suitcases. We sat around our very own tree that Addison helped decorate and put on new pajamas and read Twas the Night Before Christmas and the story of Jesus’ birth as told by Luke. Douglas and I tucked the children up in their own little beds and quietly played Santa Clause to the light of a dozen candles and the glow of our tree. On Christmas morning, we gathered the children up in our bed before letting them see what Santa had brought them. And in the afternoon, we spent with the Potters. (We always enjoy their family! And thanks again for sharing my DDR prowess with the world!) It was a very sweet, subdued day.

I realize though that I really miss my family at Christmas time. Our Christmas passed almost a little too quietly for my taste. My idea of Christmas is very tied up in the noise of family and children, too much of my mom’s great food, the mess of wrapping paper everywhere and an afternoon spent trying out everyone’s new toys. But mostly, my memories are centered around the laughter, chatter, and the silliness, that is part of a big, wonderful, messy family.

I know that we will be spending more Christmas’s at home. This is good. We will just have to get better at it – after all, we’ve had very little practice! And what do I ultimately want from our holiday season? It is as simple as family, friends, and the love of Christ to fill our hearts and our home.

We love you all and miss you all!