Ours was wonderful!!

We started our Christmas celebrations on Wednesday of last week when we started to make some yummy food.

Everyone was home (I KNOW!!!), and we all pitched in in the kitchen at different times throughout the day.

It was fun!

Thursday afternoon we decorated the table, put the finishing touches on the food, and got all of ourselves ready for the candle light service at church.

It was BEAUTIFUL!

Our church family likes to sing, and sing we did!!

Once we were back home we heated up our meal of finger foods and sat down to enjoy it all.

We stayed around the table a long time sharing and talking.

I asked the kiddos what their favorite part of Christmas is.

Everyone of us said the candle light service at church, except for Tate who said “family.”

Cue all the tears! Sweet boy!

We played a routy game of Just One to finish out our evening!

Christmas morning the kiddos slept in a bit, and then we had a small bite to eat and got ready for the day.

We had our favorites joining us for a big brunch and to spend the day with us!

Before they arrived the kiddos opened their stockings.

The stockings just had small simple things in them, but everyone was surprised and enjoyed them a lot!

I surprised Blake too, with some wireless ear buds!

They were much needed now that everything he does is over zoom or conference calls!

Pretty soon Kay’s arrived and it was time to eat again!

We have done brunch for Christmas day for at least two years now and I think it is a tradition that will stick around.

Our grands had opened stockings at home too, and had brought their new harmonica’s with them.

They got really good at them before the day was over!

Soon it was time to open more gifts!

Our seven children and David had exchanged names to exchange gifts.

Blake and I bought a few things for our grands!

David and Kayla also had a stocking to open from us!

It was SUPER FUN to watch everyone open their gifts!

School books and new personalized pencils for the grands from us –

and a new tee pee from us as well!

Everyone had bought such thoughtful and purposeful gifts!

Including the new drinking glasses that I received from my four oldest kiddos!

In the afternoon, even though it was below zero outside, we bundled up a bunch of kiddos and they headed out to play!

We finished the day with another round of those finger foods, some Christmas cookies, and hot cider!

Kay’s headed back home in the evening to get their crew ready for bed.

We are all trying to stay rested for when that baby girl decides to make her appearance!

No baby yet!

We are SO EXCITED though as we wait!!

I sat in my big comfy chair in the quiet next to the lights of the Christmas tree very early on Christmas morning.

I had finished my Bible time – reading the Bible, a devotional, and some journaling – and I bowed my head to pray.

My mind immediately went to Joseph and Mary all those many years ago and what it must have been like to give birth to a baby who was to be the Savior of the world.

Can you imagine?

A baby born to die.

For us.

Then my mind went to what it must have been like for the Son of God to be beaten and hang on a cross WHEN HE HAD NEVER DONE ANYTHING WRONG.

Because He did it for US.

It brought tears, and awe, and a thankfulness like no other as I sat there in my chair.

Does it for you?

Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior?

If you haven’t, He’s waiting.

Waiting for you to ask so He can come and change you from the inside out and give you the promise of eternal life.

Jesus was the BEST GIFT EVER.

The whole reason for Christmas!!

Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Except God’s free gift NOW.

I can promise it is something you will never, ever regret.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!!

Happy New Year, everyone!!