Christmas has come and gone. And we will probably take down our decorations tonight & Kevin is headed back to work. We learned a lot this Christmas, although I don't know that I can put it all to words.
We tried to understand from a fresh perspective the meaning of Christmas. God taught us a lot. But we still have a long ways to go!
We tried to teach Emily about the true meaning of Christmas. Here are Grandma & Pa sharing with her a special Christmas story.
Here is Emily sharing some Christmas goodies with the residents at Green Leaf. A group of us from Christ Community sang some carols for the residents.
Emily & her friend Abi enjoyed the opportunity to be a blessing. It was so cute to hear them both saying "Merry Christmas!"
And of course they took time to play!
This is a picture of Daddy, Emily & Christian making a birthday cake for Jesus.
We were hoping that this activity would help Emily to understand the reason we celebrate Christmas.
Here is grandma enjoying baby Christian and his new hat!
This season had its share of unexpected events. Up above is a picture of Emily at the post office downtown. Life according to sweet Emily is not always seen from the typical vantage point!
Life is always full of unexpected events. But as Kevin says...we must learn to pivot!
Here is Emily and Daddy out at the farm.
Above is Emily and her Papa trying to read a Christmas Story at the farm. Papa actually had to finish the story at home.... Emily was way too distracted by all of the animals out at the farm!
Beautiful smile! Emily is a true Delight! I have enjoyed so much this season watching her curiosity and personality grow. She loves giving kisses and being held. She is a wonderful big sister and she loves to help us out with Christian. When I feed Christian, she always runs to get a burp clothe without me even asking.
On the humerous side of things...she has been putting her baby doll in time out! Should I be worried?
She is also taking after her mommy in more ways than one. Here she is imitating one of her mommies bad habits...
yes that's right...she is picking her nose!
Here is Daddy trying to read the Christmas Story to Emily. Looks like Christian is the only one who stuck around!
Here is Daddy opening up the baby doll that Mieke, from Publix, gave her.
Here is Emily showing off her special baby!
On Christmas Eve, we had lunch with Keisha, a young lady who was in 8th grade the last I checked...now she is in college!
Emily decided she wanted to eat her lunch without shoes! And certainly not sitting still! Who needs a chair while eating! Donna says Kevin also ate on the go!
Handsome! Here is Christian in a high chair! I fall in love with him more and more each day!
Cutie~! Here is Christian sporting his Christmas Jammies from Grammie.
Super Cutie!
Pouting!
I don't know where she gets this from!
Another funny thing that I have noticed Emily doing lately is burrying her face in her hands. I could not figure out where she got this from. But all too frequently, I notice that when I issue the request to change a diaper or get into a car seat and the request is declined, my face goes in my hands! Like Mommy...Like Daughter!
Siblings!
Mommy & Baby Shep. Don't you love this smile!
Emily & Daddy walking the dog. Emily loves to do this!
Emily loves dogs in general. Below is a clip of Emily enjoying Daisy at Grandma & Pa's.
Grandma and Emily enjoying their Christmas!
One of Christian's latest accomplishments is blowing raspberries. Here he is in action!
He has also become quite a handful! Changing a diaper is usually best accomplished with two people now a days. It takes one person at each end to keep him pinned down!
He is also starting to pull up...on everything! Bumping his head is an everyday thing these days!
He is still crawling and getting into everything and just as cute as ever!
And I think his smile gets cuter everyday!
We are all enjoying his sweetness! Here is a picture of his Aunt Mindy getting some Christian Luv!
This year we got Pa and Grandma a plaque with their family name on it. We are truly greatful to them for all they have done to make our family possible.
I am truly grateful that they raised the godly son & father that they did. One that truly loves me as Christ has called him to. And one that cares for our family with an unending, compassionate & understanding love. With patience, love & hope for a better tomorrow, Kevin serves our family in countless ways & I know that none of this would be possible if it were not for the countless hours of patience, creativity and teaching they poured into Kevin's life.
In our family, we are hoping to bring into our lives the same fun, love and grace that Don & Donna raised Christy & Kevin with. Those of you that know me...know the grace & fun part is a big challenge for a serious nerd like me. But I am working on it!
Christian is also sitting up....almost. He is really close but always needs someone there to spot him!
Here is Emily in her new jammies & her brothers cool new hat!
Another one of Christians latest trends is pulling up on everything! This is making me a nervous wreck because we have hard wood floors! I have found him several times up on his knees holding onto a chair or toy, looking at me like...Mommy...how do I get down?
I think our days of leaving him alone on the floor will temporarily need to stop until he is more sure footed!
Emily got a new computer! It looks like brother is wanting to share!
This year Kevin and I tried to be very intentional about teaching Emily the true meaning of Christmas. We purchased an advent book (or two or three...) and we bought Emily several Christmas books (lets just say the bookshelf was loving us this season!). We tried to do an advent reading each day with her (this was definitely hit or miss) and we tried to remind her each day of the reason for the season.
Yesterday we celebrated Christmas as a family at I think what we experienced taught us a lot about a spiritual pilgrimage in general.
1. You can't try to force a normal rockwell!
You can try to have things a certain way..but it will never be perfect. Embrace what does happen and continue to strive for what you planned.
2. There is much joy in giving! And also...much learning!
We visited a couple of older families on Christmas Eve and it was such a blessing to be a blessing and a learning experience! I always learn so much when being around older people. If nothing else..to simply enjoy the youth and life that we now know.
3. Jesus Is The Light of The World!
We went to the Christmas Eve service at First Baptist. As a tradition at the end of the service, we lit candles. The sanctuary was dark and the only light was from the candles. We were up in the balcony and as we watched the lights spreading throughout the sanctuary, I kept telling Emily, "Sweetie, these lights are like Jesus". All month we have been telling her that Jesus is a light to help us. Traditionally I think we think of light in the sense of helping each other out. And I certainly don't want to take away from that perspective. But more and more what I felt The Lord speaking to me this Season was...I am a light shining in your heart. Showing you your sin and fallen state. Showing you the reason that I came was you desperately need me. I came once before and I will come again, so be ready.
Tears were flowing through the service. As I thought through all of the shameful words and actions that have passed from my person into the lives of those around me. My heart was breaking and broken.
Later that evening, we went to Flowers to look at the lights. The jingle music was playing and the lights of gingerbread houses and Santa Claus were shining in all their glory and my heart was heavy with the weight of sin.
As we left Flowers I started singing a Christmas Carol out loud. Speaking the good news of Christs Birth...
"God rest ye merry gentlemen
let nothing you dismay
remember Christ our Savior
was born on Christmas Day
to save us all from Satan's Power
When we had gone astray
oh tidings of comfort and joy
comfort and joy
oh tidings of comfort and joy"
What comfort and joy this spoke into my heart as I was feeling the oppression of sin in my own life. That Christ had come to save me from the power of Satan. To save me from my selfishness and self.
How this merryment compares to the santa claus lights, gifts & trinkets. That Jesus Christ came from eternity to rescue me from all of the wordly entrapments that so easily entangle & ensnare.
Thank You LORD Jesus for saving me. May I know and understand this salvation every day of my life and may its effects spread into the lives of this family You have blessed me with and the community You have placed me in.
5. Don't miss the reason Christ came.
The baby in the manger came in such lowliness and humility. He didn't come demanding, insisting or disputing. Silently, HE came into our planet. Welcome this Child as He knocks on your door.
Dear Jesus come to our door. Knock and Knock until we let You in. Into every crevice. Dear Jesus Knock and Knock until we feel Your love to overflowing. Until we know Your love so intimatley that obedience is the only natural response.
As we look to the sky, let us see You in all Your glory. And just as the Shepherds LORD, let us not be ashamed to run, go and tell! Tell others of the good news of Christ!
6. Christmas Jammies
I am not sure how traditions from the past will fit into the traditions of the future. We had so many growing up. I have many pleasant memories of Christmas as a child, but by far, the most magical were the Christmas Eve services when I felt a certain Holy Reverence surrounding the Season. It is our prayer that we will learn how to teach our children a Holy Reverence from what Christ has done by coming to Earth!
And also..to always enjoy family during this special time of year!
I love the memories of sitting around dinner tables, enjoying a good meal & laughter and of course...the communal clean up afterwards!
This year Tyler got a new contraption...a ripstick. If you haven't tried one..you ought to check it out but be sure to have someone to help you maneuver it. We spent a lot of time outside playing with his new toy!
Tyler is such a good nephew. Here he is taking care of his little cousin
Overall, we had a great Christmas and pray that we will not forget all that we learned this Christmas but apply the lessons learned to our daily lives.
