It was 10 and 1/2 years ago I married my wonderful husband Matt (which, by the way, means "gift of God.") When I left Canada and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota I left my family and friends behind. I married Matt and we start our new life together. That's 10 and 1/2 years of holidays, special occasions, birthdays and Christmases. I guess it's kinda catching up with me. I'm missing everyone so much this year. Seriously, I'm teary all the time and I'll been calling and skyping (if you've never tried this incredible free video chat - NOW IS THE TIME!) my family every day. The weird thing about living away from your family is sometimes you are caught off guard when you start missing them...It surprises me every time. This Christmas was amazing. Christmas Eve we spent with friends and then came home to get all dolled up for the Christmas Eve candle light service at Bethany. It's my favorite service of the year: cozy, small crowd, whole families sitting together, Christmas carols, reading the whole story of the Jesus and of course, candles are lit for the final song...Silent Night.
Everything is a little more excited with 3 kids under the age of 5. I'll give you a snapshot into my life. Matt is leading the service so is up and down from the front row but Leyton wanted to be with his Dad so he followed. I couldn't get to him fast enough (wearing heels and carrying my 22 pound 10 month old!) and by the time I did he was started crying, "I want Daddy!" and cried that the whole way down the aisle. LOL. I spent most of the night in the foyer letting Leyton run but, I came back in the church for my favorite part the lighting of the candles. What was I thinking? I'm holding Clara and Leyton and then I hear Adriah's little voice saying, "It's burning me!" She had been so careful holding her candle with pride but, the wax melted and was dripping on her hand. Poor girl. Matt stops speaking and comes to the rescue. Our life is so full...not perfect by any means...but, I wouldn't change a thing.
Christmas day started at 6:30am not cause our kids were excited but, because that's the time they get up every day! We opened up our stockings first and the kids play with the little toys while Matt makes breakfast! Yummy crepes with Nutella, berries, lemon and brown sugar...the works. After breakfast we take turns opening and watching each person open their gifts. We love draggin' it out and enjoying every moment. It was a wonderful time with my family...i have my own family...and I love them so much!
Highlights of the Day:
Adriah - Got a keyboard! She opened it, laid on top of it and said, "This is what I've always wanted!" She played piano (to the best of her ability) for the next 2 hours.
Leyton - Got trucks and trucks and more trucks in the form of LEGO! He didn't leave his truck station all morning. I love watching him tinker.
Clara - Got a cute little piggy bank. She ate the coins happily!
Matt - Got clothes (most were a hit!), waffle maker, and a spice rack! (kinda one of those things you really need and Christmas was a great excuse to get it!
Noemi - Got clothes...and I was happy. My last gift I opened put me in a state of shock. Matt blew the budget and got me an IPAD! Seriously, the coolest gift from the most amazing husband. (FUNNY THING: he loved it just as much as me and started planning the electronics he could sell to buy his own IPAD! LOL. I love my sweet man.)
The first thing I downloaded? Scrabble. The perfect Christmas.
We went to see family for dinner...it was lovely until Leyton got sick. And then got sick again. And one more time. NEEDLESS TO SAY we left early, came home, put the kids down, and had a quiet candle-lit roast-beef take-home dinner just Matt and I. It was a merry Christmas. In everything there is something to be thankful for.
I hope your day was just as lovely.
I'm home today. I don't like missing church. I love our church. But, just in case Leyton is still sick it's best we stay home...so home I will stay.