I didn't take too many pictures on Christmas Day.
But the few a got sure do capture our real-life. :-)
We always start with stockings and then move on to a yummy pancake breakfast/birthday party for Jesus.
Someone wasn't happy about singing "Happy Birthday". And someone else wasn't happy about taking pictures.
We always love having my parents join us for Christmas Day, I'm thankful they are willing to make the 5 hour trip every year.
I have been known to go a bit overboard on the shopping in years past. And so many of those years after our kids get totally spoiled on Christmas Eve, we go home thinking they would be happy if that was all they got. Kicking myself for my excessiveness.
So this year, in the attempt to simplify, we adopted the "3 gift rule", just as Jesus received 3 gifts from the Wise Men.
It sure made my shopping easier, and when I was done, I was done, whether I saw a good deal on something else, or thought of another good gift idea later or not.
The only thing that was tough was that our kids didn't really have big wishes this year. They didn't really even give us any ideas. Until the day before Christmas of course.
That was the first time I heard Mason say anything about wanting a rocket ship lego set.
And Taylor continued her wish of an American Girl doll, but then was pretty satisfied with her Bitty Twin from Nana and Papa (which I knew she would be).
So I had no idea what their reactions would be on Christmas morning, as there wasn't anything that they really wished for waiting on them.
But then I was reminded of the true joy that kids get on Christmas and their excitement for just about anything. It was another reminder that simplifying Christmas expectations for myself does not steal the joy of Christmas when our hearts and minds are focused on the right things.
My kids taught me a lot this Christmas. Maybe it was the visit to the nursing home, and the joy they had in singing to so many residents in their rooms. Maybe it was the evening we spent making "blessing bags" for the homeless shelter and then caroling to them and handing them out.
Maybe it was the conversations that took place in our home this year, and the realization they began to have about other people's needs.
Maybe it was the events in Newtown, CT.
But there was something about this Christmas that was different.
Simpler. More joyful. More about others.
And the words from our oldest that I won't forget...
"I really don't want anything for Christmas, I just am glad we have Jesus."
I don't know how much of those words were just the "sunday school" talk coming out in her, and the knowledge she has about what the right things to say are, or how much was truly from her heart.
But from other things I witnessed from her this year, I am leaning towards believing that she truly truly got it this year.
And just to keep it completely real for you, her words were followed by words from another certain little one who said.
"Not me, I want presents!"
:-)
Mason was super pumped about his gift from Mema and Papa. Especially because it's from the place Papa works.
It was a wonderful, pjs all day-game playing-lego building-karaoke machine singing-ham, homemade rolls, garlic mashed potatoes- cozy fire-christmas music playing -facetiming with Aunt Rebekah-kind of day.
It's always hard to believe it's all over so fast.
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