Christmas, Chirstmas time is...

over. So sad. I love Christmas. It is such a great time of year. This year, I think I was more anxious than the kids. Christmas Eve I was up at 6am. I could not go back to sleep. I was excited to spend time with family and give the kids their gifts. We had a wonderful holiday!

Christmas Eve we went to my Dad's house. This has been the tradition for years. We always have a great dinner, exchange gifts and go to church. It proved to be a long day this year, but was worth it! Pictured below you will see the gang at my Dad's . (Notice Carys sporting her new Snow White dress. She cried when we left because I made her take it off and would not let her wear it to church. My Grandma thought I was a horrible mom at that point.)

After a wonderful time of worship with our church family we headed back home. One of my favorite things to give the kids is there pajamas on Christmas Eve and their annual ornament. Rob's parents started a tradition when Rob was born that each year they would get an ornament to represent the year. We still have Rob's first ornament his dad gave him when he was only a few weeks old. A car. It hangs high on our tree and each year Rob tells us that his Daddy bought it for him so many years ago. We have passed this tradition down to our kids. This year we gave Broderick an airplane, since it was his first time flying. Carys got ballet shoes, since she started ballet this year. It is a wonderful way to look back over the years while decorating the tree.

I absolutely love the picture below. Rob's face says it all. The picture really wants to make me cry. Broderick did a Santa shop at his school this year. He picked out a gift for each one of us on his own, without us knowing what it was. This picture is right after Carys opened hers, a necklace, bracelet and earrings. He said, "I knew you would love it!" And then gave her a big hug. It truly was great! He got me an ornament that I can put his picture in and Rob a Frisbee. It was so special!

Sometimes the simplest gifts are the favorites. Broderick had been talking about this Bop Buddy for weeks. He was so excited that he got it. I loved it!

And Carys' favorite was the pink cowgirl boots and hat. I swear she has not taken them off. She walks around with them on all day. They really are super cute! My mom and step dad bought them for her in Texas. I have a feeling these will be a staple item in her wardrobe. Too cute!

Uncle Justin has been trying to win this girls heart for 3 1/2 years. Ever since she was a baby she would cry when he held her. She won't give him a hug, and looks at him funny when he talks to her. He finally found a way to her heart. Pretty, Pretty Princess is the answer. He played with her on Christmas day, and won might I add. She is his best bud now! Go Uncle Justin!!!

Remember me mentioning the simplest gifts before? Christmas is about one of the gifts that was not so simple at all. When I think about a young man and woman traveling many miles to a stable to deliver a baby, and an evil King killing hundreds of baby boys, the word simple is the last thing that comes to mind. Unbearable, uncomfortable, unpleasant, miserable, heart-breaking. Those are words that come to mind. Then I think about all that Jesus has done for me and I think... amazing, loving, compassionate, forgiving, sacrificial, gracious. Again things that aren't simple. God is an amazing God that loved us so much he came to Earth as a human; humble and homeless. Mary and Joseph were 2 people that loved God so much they would do whatever he asked. Travel many miles away from their families, leave with a one day old baby to go to Egypt, and watch their son die on a cross. More than anything this Christmas I found myself asking myself, "What do I give him?" After all, it is His birthday.
The time with family was great. The presents were wonderful. The food was awesome. But there is one far better than any of these. His name is JESUS!
Happy Birthday Jesus!