homegrowing

….. from our family to yours!

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CHRIST is born!

I awoke around 8am to hear Irv exercising in his quiet time in the basement.  I nursed the baby and then spent my quiet time in the bathtub.  Lovely.

I checked my computer before 9am to find  emails from friends that had completed their gift opening already!  Were we late?   Perhaps we would hold a record for the latest gift opening on Christmas morning?  Or the meanest parents? Maybe win the most inpatient patient children award?

Dad made pancakes with his many little helpers.  Fun and yum.

We enjoyed our Advent Book,  Scripture reading, birthday song and cake for Jesus, and made our birthday cards for Him.

(This is not my three year old plugging his ears while Daddy reads the Christmas story… nope, not at my house.  And, of course I did see that in person, before I actually posted the picture on my blog.  Yup, I sure did!)

We loved our family celebrations.   We opened gifts around 10:30.  A few years ago we started giving the kids three gifts each, reflecting on Jesus receiving the gifts from the three wise men.

Biggies received:

1. book box:  a new Bible, journal, Ballantyne book, & Christian comics
2. Lego set
3. outdoors-man gift: pair of boots with a pocket knife tucked in the toe as a surprise

The Little’s received some recycled gifts,  a new pizza for their play kitchen, and a new set of TRIO building blocks.  I love building with them!

All kids were occupied for the day playing with one another and their new blessings.  The stockings delivered Wii and DS games, so the world of screens turned some brains into mush today.    I joked with the Biggies that I should have gifted them “screen time” coupons in their stockings, as their occasional 30 minutes a day allotment, when granted, will seem very sparse after the holiday passes!

We traveled to Grandma and Papa’s house for a delicious turkey dinner and fellowship.  Turkey soup broth is simmering and will be a blessing to have for our family weekend at home.

I pray each of you have a special CHIRSTmas.  May you hold the baby JESUS deeper in your hearts today.

I pray  regardless of your circumstances, you experience the JOY of Christ  and know you are loved by Creator of the Universe.

The baby JESUS loves us and came to earth to rescue us.  He died on the cross to save us from our sins, so we could spend all eternity in Heaven with Him.

Sweet CHRISTmas blessings from our home to yours…

Christmas Eve was cozy.  Chili in the crock-pot with the trimmings.  Daddy worked from home, computer-coding, and we were delighted to have him around.  The boys enjoyed a swimming getaway to the YMCA mid-day with Dad.  I completed the wrapping and preparations for Christmas Day and enjoyed a nap.

Reality set in for the kids around 5:00 when Ving asked, “Who is coming over for Christmas Eve?”   We usually have a house full of family, but due to my Mom’s car accident, everyone is in Florida.

I informed the kids of the wonderful evening events we were going to have.  “Just us?” Ving replied.  “I think this is going to be the worst Christmas Eve ever.”

By the end of the evening, I overheard him telling Dad… “I am so happy that I just feel like crying.  This is a wonderful night.”

Again, I was reminded of the importance of traditions and how children grow to love the repetition of holiday events year after year.  We missed our traditional Christmas Eve plans, but embraced a wonderful evening at home.

Ving made a lemon birthday cake for Jesus.  We took our annual children photo which is always fun.  (Coming to a blog post near you someday soon).   The Christmas tree was cuddled by many gifts from relatives in Florida.  We listened to Christmas music and opened gifts.  We’re so very blessed.

The Biggies completed constructing their new large Lego sets in rapid speeds.  We watched the new Veggie Tales Saint Nicholas DVD, which we all loved  and highly recommend.

Irv and I prepared the tree and kitchen table for the morning celebrations.  Tree: three presents for each child, plus stockings.  Table: the Advent Book and candles, Bible, birthday cake for Jesus, and paper and drawing utensils for Jesus’ birthday cards.

Lights out and all tucked in by 10:30.

Thinking of Jesus and thankful He came to earth to save us…

I’ve enjoyed the Advent Book with the kids the past two years.   Each day from December 1st until Christmas Day,  we read a page.  Each page has a door that we open, revealing an artistic image representing that day’s reflection on the Christmas story.  Scripture accompanies each door.    Simple.  Fun.  Tradition.  Memorable.  Reflecting on  Christ.

I love to hear and read different ideas for celebrating and remembering Advent with children.  Please share your favorite ideas and traditions by commenting and link to  a  blog post  of your celebrations if applicable.

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Join me in welcoming this tiny blessing of sweetness over at Thoughts of Home.   I’m praising the Lord with my friend  for her wonderful Christmas baby blessing, born at home, by the Christmas tree, on the 21st.  Thank you Jesus!