Candlelight Service

This was one of the many times as a mom that I wished I could freeze time. For the first time, Matthew had gone with Alan and watched him take Communion.  It was also his first time to hold his "own candle" at our Christmas Eve Service.  He was fascinated with all of it.  His eyelashes made shadows on his cheeks.  He was wearing his "fancy, but not too fancy" new shirt and had a fresh Christmas haircut.  I wanted to memorize every detail about my too-quickly-growing-up boy.  

Often, he asks me to tell him how much I love him.  It's a game for us.  I always answer that there are no words that would be enough.  But, once, he said "I really want to know!".  My answer?  When you're all grown up, and you're lucky enough to have your own little boy, then you'll know.

Christmas Card Prayers

Christmas cards are a big hit around here.  I love the new photos, especially from far-away friends and family.  This year we kept them in a basket on our kid table so Helen could reach them. She loved looking at pictures of "babies" and Matthew liked seeing his friends with their families.  After Christmas, though, I never know what to do with them. This year, I saw a fantastic idea online:  Keep the cards in a handy spot and choose one family each day to remember in prayer.  Love it!  So, if we got your card, we'll be praying for you this year!

Side note: After 4 attempts at a family photo shoot and Helen's still-ongoing relationship with RSV, I managed to send cards only to the grands and great-grands, plus a few other family members.  Feel free to pray for us without the card...sounds like we need it.

Merry, Merry Christmas! (In no particular order...)

My Great-Grandmother's Tablecloth

Kissing Daddy at church Christmas morning

When you ask for 50 smiles in a row, this is what you get.

Me and my Mom and Dad!

Headed to the Christmas Eve Service

"Hey baby!"

"Joooc baby?"

Getting ready for a sock war with Aunt Amie

Playing with Gramps

All the cousins (my siblings) at mom's house!

Family Photos

Thank you, Uncle Robin!

I love the idea of decorating a Gingerbread Village with my little helpers at Christmas time.  I don't like the idea of pulling my hair out or fighting the urge to say bad words under my breath.  That's why I love this gift: A Gingerbread Cake Pan

 

In goes the batter, out pops an entire village.  Voila!  Then, on to the fun part.

  

Thank you, Uncle Robin, for such a fabulous idea!

The Very Best Gift

Matthew is a great gift-giver.  Although not sentimental, he takes great care in choosing just the right gifts for each of us.  Nearly everyday this month, he's had a surprise for at least one of us.  Maybe a hot wheel from his collection in my favorite color, or one of his stuffed Bears because Helen loves "b's" right now.  I love this about him.  

Matthew couldn't wait for me to open his gift.  He was so excited.  He had seen it the week before, but kept it a secret until Dad could take him shopping tonight.  With his three wadded, one dollar bills, he set out.  This is what I got:

A ceramic house that lights up when you push a button.  When I opened it, he told me "it cost all my dollars, but I knew you would love it".  And I do.  Not so much for what it is, but for who it represents.  There is so much I want to teach my children, but I often find that they are teaching me.  Isn't this the kind of giving that honors our God?  The kind that cost "all our dollars", but is still given with a cheerful heart, even excitement, because we just know how much "he's going to love it."
So, if you come to my house this Christmas, or the next, or the one after that, you'll find my little ceramic house.  It might even still light up.  But it will definitely be a reminder of what Christmas is all about.

Merry Christmas.

So I don't forget...

Matthew is not a fan of writing his letters, especially correctly.  Instead, he tries to write in "hieroglyphics" or "Japanese" so I can't correct him.  I actually find this kind of impressive.

Evidence that she is the baby of the family is one of Helen's first phrases: "Me back".
Translation: Give it back to me!

Helen also told me "with me" the other day.  It took me awhile to realize she was saying she wanted to go "with me".  The answer was absolutely yes.