This post is for those of you who like lots of pictures and some details. Had fun reflecting on the Christmas season. There's so much more to say. I've been asked often, HOW WAS YOUR FIRST CHRISTMAS WITH THE BOYS?! It really did go well and was a JOY to find the childlike faith of celebrating Jesus in little ways again!
It did feel a little disjointed as we didn't "just do everything" the way we always have. I don't know if I can say why (yes I do like change but traditions are GOOD for me). I think with the adoption process and the precious realization of introducing 3ish year olds to Christmas for the 1st time, things slowed a little. I did try a few things I shouldn't have (maybe more on that later). But some things we tried (or didn't do) were really sweet. So, there was much newness to this Advent and Christmas for all of us!
Each picture I've posted here I could write a blog post about. I just feel that 'heavy' with thoughts anymore. For now, I feel a little like Mary on that first Christmas(oh so little I'm sure) as I have
kept all these things and pondered them in my heart (Luke 2:19). And am still pondering...
So if you're so inclined to browse through some (b/c many moments the camera wasn't on my mind (ugh) when in the mess or out and about) glimpses of our Christmas , I'd be delighted. All I ask is that any smiles, hugs, greatness, etc. you see, may you see JESUS as GOD WITH US!
For the first time in my life, we GOT A LIVE TREE! YEP, didn't know much about it so the one we picked was pretty, but didn't hold our ornaments (don't get pine), but did so love the real tree!
Advent Countdown!
Jeremiah went first ..we went youngest to oldest and boy did they learn who was next after 2 cycles!
I just love that the boys added their animals (cow, pig and horse...look closely). No prompting, no nothing, just went and got them. OF COURSE..Jesus was born,with the animals in the stable!
So we had our first colored lights outside...and KA and Andy somehow managed to have them shaped so when lit it looked like a stable. I never got a picture, but loved that my "never having colored lights on the front of my house" was history!
Ok, so amid all the Advent activities a big 'chunk' of our workaround and Kaylee Ann's time was her preparations for her dance studio's THE NUTCRACKER "SWEET". SHE LOVED IT! I'm sad she didn't get to be in one of the dances she loved the most that she was an understudy for, but proud of her attitude! She LOVES dancing. So, here's a few shots ...the rest on our Andy's phone:(
Just general Christmas 'happies'...
they wanted me in the picture, so a self-timer moment;p
Had to include this. This is our dog, Wesley. Do you see this? Not unusual that he was found caring his food bowl around waiting to be fed. Just kinda moved down on the priority list when busy(ok dog lovers don't worry!). So, here he is (yes see...he IS allowed on the furniture) but empty dog bowl to boot and one pitiful face. The boys have officially taken over feeding him and might do it a little too much now. We'll get the balance thing down like the rest of life...maybe.
Making 'presents' became a favorite activity...
Hold on for some intense Gingerbread House building....
Nothing fun seems to be 'neat'...
The girls took on baking Jesus' birthday cake...Busted in the batter...
Really busted...
They had fun making this GLUTEN FREE Chocoloate Birthday cake all alone;)
Sisters...I love 'em!
After we ate said cake, I had a treat of new stockings (and bigger) for all. I have NO IDEA why, but Jacob jumped right out of his chair and did THIS...!!! UM...of course!
And Jeremiah followed...laughs all around..
Christmas Eve...Family Worship service at Church, Aliza read one of the readings...
I mentioned doing much new that was BETTER! This was one. I hope to post separately about this one. Lots of thoughts, convictions and blessings. Basically, I wanted us to really focus on this Christmas as a celebration of JESUS' birthday, so why wouldn't we realize more tangibly how we can give HIM gifts. I used Matthew 25 (specifically 35-40) as our Scripture focus. I think the gifts for others are AWESOME, but this shifted and kept our focus differently. At the beginning of Advent, we read the verses and I told them one of THEIR gifts was us giving them $ to give. I proposed a few options of places they could consider looking for their gift ideas. I wasn't too involved, except to remind them 'be ready by Christmas Eve'! I had them each write their gift in a card to Jesus and stay hushhush. I also had to help them think about their contributions to 'the gift'. It was fun to listen to them talk about pooling their resources to why certain 'gifts' were better. Blessed by the time of 'opening' and reading them even more on Christmas Eve as our 'first gift' each gave!
Jacob 'giving' to Jesus..chose chickens from
World Vision catalog (don't you see the drawing?)
Jeremiah chose 'eggs' which really was not even IN the catalog. I tried to explain the chicken and eggs thing...but he still said 'eggs'. THE BOY LOVES EGGS and says he did in Africa too. Eggs it is;)Not sure how to get eggs to folks the best so did both chicken and duck.
Aliza...her choice fits her ...she's a 'rare bird'. She chose 5 ducks. I don't know if you can click on this pix and read her card, but to her point: 'you said when we give to others we give to you, happy birthday, enjoy'...she really loved this and was the lead on it with the boys:)
OK, just the 'pose' makes me cry. This girl blew me away. I can't steal her thunder because it's her story to tell (AND SHE BETTER GET TO IT SOON ON HER
BLOG!!) She rolled in order after order and churned out more earrings than I ever thought she would just at Christmas! I really am soo grateful for many of YOU who supported her efforts. She has a 'list' of ways she was able to completely own this and live out this in ways I LEARNED from. At one point she was staying up late, having no free time (btwn school, dance and earrings) that I thought, aww...she should get
something. Nope. She is in this for the orphan and oppressed. And THAT is something...God's glory. And it shines! Let's just say she's not buying ducks, but sponsoring kids...all year long. Again...a whole post awaits.
So the rest of us went thru our gifts w/o photos, but you get the gist.
AND...I began the evening with the traditional pj treat:)...
NOW...before you look at these pictures, I've included here the ones that when I looked back, God showed me the JOY in the giving. In almost each of these, look at the giver...it's a blessing to see JOY;)
Here's Aliza with her 'stash' to give out. We gave all our 'sibling gifts' out to each other after Church and our dinner on Christmas Eve.
The boys GIVING...
(ok, here's a getting)
boys giving...
Kaylee Ann so excited to surprise Justin who hates surprises...but loved her gift;)
You know Andy actually asked for a new 'wallet' from KA. She makes these duct tape wallets and he is so proud to pull it out and get stares,etc. He proudly sports a new checkerboard one now;)
And now for Christmas morning. Our first time without Santa and do you know (again another post) IT WAS FINE, FUN, EXCITING AND FOCUSED!!! loved that no one was up 'worried'! Still had surprises, just 3 gifts like Jesus received and stockings.
OK...bikes didn't get wrapped so they were 'brought in'...
YES!
And not surprised but much anticipated longboard.. (and only picture willingly snapped!)
stockings..
told you..
mom and dad always have some fun with our gifts...loved my necklace with all 5 kiddos names...AND Joy in the Journey included :) yea baby!
had to sneak in a ride before church Christmas morning ...
Then gmomma and gdaddy joined us ..a real treat to have them bring up some yummy food and feast with us!
loved...
and she made her an initial print...quite creative!
All in all, there was much peace and joy. A blessing. My brother and his family came the next day and we had some time together. Missed my grandaddy being the 'check passer outer' and just sitting by the fire. Trusting HIS Christmas was like no other and with all the grandparents together:)
And to end our Christmas recap, I have to pull back to a year ago...
to the moment when we were praying for our boys and had no idea what was ahead.
(I had framed for Andy the "first photo" we had seen of our boys. I had no idea the life and reminders God had for us to see HIS love and heart).
Sometimes a year and a moment are better realized in hindsight. This Christmas I often reflected on my little faith and God's big heart. May Jesus' presence with us never fade. As the J crew like to say "Yes, yes, yes...it IS still Christmas." I get a lump in my throat with trying to balance talking about Christmas (as in the 'celebration date') is over, but YES, Jesus has come and indeed so does the celebration have to end? Evidently not, because the boys '
made Christmas' again for me today with just as much enthusiasm as the 1st time. They are still singing Silent Night and other carols throughout the grocery store and at home.
Thank you Jesus! Help us stay focused on YOU...THE GIVER, THE GIFT, THE 'PRESENCE'!
JUST THINK, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
