There's No Place Like Home: A Quiet Little Christmas

Merry Christmas (as I post this 1 day after)! Our Christmas was quiet as we celebrated in our new home this year. Traveling with an almost 2 year old and a newborn was not a sane act this year and though we missed the hubbub of family celebrations, we got to connect with some over phone and Skype throughout the day. Christmas Eve, we celebrated in the morning at a brunch over at our friend’s house. We then went to Christmas Eve service at our church. Christmas celebrations started out rather rocky due to Hayden boycotting a nap that day which led to total breakdown later and Clare exploding in her cute outfit about 2 minutes into Christmas Eve service began. However, we made it through all the plan evening festivities and praise God for his wonderful reminder as we settled in after kids went to bed, he blessedly put on “It’s a Wonderful Life” to remind us to look at all the blessings among the messiness in everyday life. Christmas Day consisted of a nice breakfast followed by opening gifts. Though Hayden was distracted completely by the second gift and checked out after that. I shouldn’t have wasted the wrapping paper I realize now, though it does look pretty under the tree. He has so enjoyed his gifts, in fact, that removing him from play the last two days have proved challenging. We found the need to get out and enjoy the 50-something degree day that was going on outside and found our way to a park after naps (all around). Then shared in Christmas dinner together! I am grateful for the wonderful family I have and though I have received beautiful gifts this year, I can sincerely say that I am the most blessed by the gifts of my husband, children, family and friends that are in my life and care deeply for me. God bless the rest of your year!