There is going to be a new sign at the entrance and exit of our home ...
{Truth, hard work and persistence this way ---->}
because marriage, love, parenting, ranching, teaching, life ... it's all that ... and more.
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And honestly,
I can't think of anyone else I'd rather struggle, succeed, love & live with more than Ian.
each moment
each word
each thought
each action
Each one was a gift today.
And as this day ~ Christmas Day ~ comes to an end, I can only hope that the {magic} of it all can, and will be remembered on those days when {gifts} seem few and far between.
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from Max Lucado ... God Came Near ... Chapter 7 ~ Christmas Night
"It's Christmas night. The tree that only yesterday grew from soil made of gifts, again grows from the Christmas tree stand. Presents are now possessions. Wrapping paper is bagged and in the dumpster. The dishes are washed and leftover turkey awaits next week's sandwiches.
It's Christmas night.
The midnight hour has chimed and I should be asleep, but I'm awake. I'm kept awake by one stunning thought. The world was different this week. It was temporarily transformed.
The magical dust of Christmas glittered on the cheeks of humanity ever so briefly, reminding us of what is worth having and what we were intended to be. We forgot our compulsion with winning, wooing, and warring. We put away our ladders and ledgers, we hung up our stopwatches and weapons. We stepped off our race tracks and roller coasters and looked outward toward the star of Bethlehem.
It's Christmas night. In a few hours the cleanup will begin - lights will come down, trees will be thrown out. size 36 will be exchanged for size 40, eggnog will be on sale for half price. Soon life will be normal again. December's generosity will become January's payments and the magic will begin to fade.
But for the moment, the magic is still in the air. Maybe that's why I'm still awake. I want to savor the spirit just a bit more. I want to pray that those who beheld him today will look for him next August. And I can't help but linger on one fanciful thought: If he can do so much with such timid prayers lamely offered in December, how much more could he do if we thought of him every day?"
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{God Came Near}. What a gift.
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Peace. Hope. Love. Joy. Faith. Compassion. Understanding. Patience. Goodness. Kindness.
... those are the {gifts} I'm praying for in my life ... and yours as well.
Christmas music playing.
{Mickey's Magical Christmas} on the TV.
Little Smokies Wraps.
Homemade bread with honey butter. {Thanks Doug & Patty}
Smoked Turkey.
Cheese.
Green Olives.
Black Olives. {Lindsay ones of course}
Eggnog.
... and a few presents.
We didn't do much shopping this year, in fact, we didn't go to the mall once this holiday season. Both Ian and I tried to focus less on the "stuff" and more on the reality that we are blessed with so very much already. We didn't want to take away the fun of watching our boys open presents or the "magic" of the tree skirt covered with gifts, but we did agree to do less this year.
A lot less.
And really, the few things that the boys did get were perfect.
Less was/is better.
The best part was to watch them open the gifts from others. Mason was in awe of the things that other people got for him, as well as Mack and kept shouting {thank you} in the air.
** Round-Up sweatshirts and puzzles from Bill & Bev.
** A {Digger} book with DVD & building blocks from their cousin Clare.
** New long underwear {just like daddy} and pj's from Doug & Patty.
** The letters of their names to make a train from Great Grandma Pat.
** Two awesome CARS sleeping bags from Rod, Deb, Kaden, Ethan & Aurora.
We are so very blessed by the wonderful people in our lives who love us so very much. Seriously. I'm in awe too.
So ... our Christmas Eve was right here at home.
We were going to attempt to attend the Christmas Eve service, but honestly it felt right to just stay put & enjoy being {home}.
Our evening was spent with just the four of us. {oh, and Jack & Jill too}
It was different not being with our families or friends, but somehow it was {just right} at the same time.
Nothing fancy.
Just us.
Merry Christmas!!
** Ian's dad wrote a great column about him in yesterday's paper too.
Showing We Care Takes Many Forms
Thanks George.
I think {actually, I know} that was one of the best gifts you could have given him.
