Cherishing Chistmas 2018

I write so many blog posts in my head throughout the day chronically the life and times of this season of our life -- the good, bad, funny, and ugly.  Then, so often, when I climb into bed at the end of the day, I either can't remember the topics I thought of earlier in the day, or (more often), I am so exhausted and ready to hit the sack that I post something much shorter instead.

That being said, I do want to post how we spent our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and how I will cherish this year's Christmas festivities for many years to come.  To be very frank, our Christmas Even and Christmas Day were absolutely perfect.  We had such incredibly joyful, laughter-filled, family days... and for the first year (possibly because both days were so fun), I was keenly aware throughout both days how lucky we are and wondered why our days were so perfect when others' are not.

Not to bring down this post, but the truth is, we had such amazing days... and I was so cognizant of mothers who cannot be with their children on Christmas; women who want to be mothers and so spend Christmas grieving that they do not get to wrap presents for little ones; adults who are lonely because they haven't found a spouse or are grieving because they are separated from a spouse or former spouse; children who are missing a parent -- children of any age -- young children or adult children who are grieving this year without a parent.  While I did not have a moment to myself on Christmas with all our joyful hustle and bustle, I was thinking of adults who had far too many moments to themselves this year.  Adults who might desire a happy home with a spouse and children, and yet, whatever the circumstances, they are not experiencing that this year.

I was keenly missing my sister this year, and aware that she never experienced the joy of being a parent making Christmas magical for children on Christmas morning.

Why did my family experience such a joy-filled Christmas Even and Christmas Day when others are hurting?  I do not know.

But I absolutely cherish these days, our healthy happy children, and my wonderful Husband.  I have no idea why such joy and grace have been bestowed on us by our Loving Heavenly Father this year.  We simply cherish our blessed day and say, "Thank you!"

Here are some pictures and descriptions from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

While I was wrapping presents, Hubby was in charge... and then he called me upstairs to see what our children had done during a few moments of being "a little too quiet".  They had all used magic markers to apply makeup to their faces -- eyelids, lips, and cheeks, (and drawings along their arms and legs).

After lots of soap and baths all around, some of the magic marker faded a little before church (Tracey's eyelids are still pink, now 36 hours later) and we attended the family Christmas Eve service.

Lee Lee went to the nursery, but this is the first time Howard and Caroline have stayed in church with us for an event like this, and they did so well.  They got antsy about halfway through, but calmed down when they got to hold their own lighted candles in the end -- and we were thrilled that no fire accidents happened (Praise God!).

We went home and went right up to bed... and Santa came while we were sleeping.

You can't see our full stockings very well... but they are hung by the chimney with care.

Santa ate the cookies and drank the milk, and left a long note.  Among other things, he explained that everyone's presents from him were wrapped in specific wrapping paper -- so he had to leave us a key to know who's presents went with which wrapping paper.  It was a system that worked very well for our crew of children who mostly cannot read yet.

Our Mr. Shepherd found the Baby Jesus under the Christmas tree with all of the presents -- Baby Jesus, the greatest present and best present of Christmas Day!

Christmas morning started with a Mama workout before the kids were up... it felt like a Christmas present to myself.

Kids ready at the top of the stairs to run down to see if Santa came...

He did!

Some pictures from opening presents.  Santa brought some toys.  Mama and Daddy gave some books.  The three big kids exchanged names and each bought a book for one sibling, which was fun, and Hubby and I exchanged a few presents as well.

Howard choose a superhero hat to give Daddy.

The big kids were happy to help Lee Lee open her gifts.

The biggest surprise of the day was when Hubby informed me (a little at a time) that his parents are watching our children this weekend (when we're in St. Louis) so that he and I can have a little getaway... 

That would have been an awesome gift, but that wasn't all...

He and I are flying from St. Louis to Atlanta to watch the University of Michigan play in the Chic-Fil-A Peach Bowl!

I was SHOCKED!

Such a great surprise also means that we are moving up our St. Louis departure to give our kids a chance to settle in with Memaw and Peepaw before we leave for two nights.  So, much of my Chirstmas afternoon was spent trying to arrange longer pet-sitting arrangements for Lexie and Lloyd, and folding laundry that had been piling up on a bed in our basement in order to organize packing.  Our hope is to leave mid-day tomorrow.

Then, in the evening, we opened a few of the family games that Santa brought us and had fun with Hungry Hungry Hippos and Operation.

 The kids spent the entire day playing with their new toys and building a lot together with some building toys that they all received.

Caroline received pretend dishes and a plastic tea set, and spent several hours arranging a tea party for herself and imaginary guests while Tracey and Howard were building figures with some new building toys.

 I do know not every Christmas can be so perfect... so I am going to cherish this one for many many years.