For as long as I can remember, every December 24th has been about my mom's extended family meeting up at her house to celebrate...which means lots of presents and a buffet of food.
But this year...with me on bedrest and incapable of going anywhere...we stayed home and tried to make it as special as possible for the girls.
Charis (7), Selah (5.5), Alana (15 months), Raegan (33 months), and Raquel (1 week)Unfortunately, I don't feel like we did the best job, being that I was exhausted/sickly and Jet spent a large majority of the day trying to take care of me. Ugh. I hate feeling like a leech. It has a way of knocking my perspective all out of whack.
But thankfully, the girls didn't feel the same way. They enjoyed the day and all it represented. Have I mentioned how I love my girls' attitudes? They are (usually) just happy to be alive. ;)
Me, on the other hand? I was just settling in to attend my own private pity party, totally frustrated that Christmas wasn't what I had hoped it to be, when I looked up and saw the *joy* on my daughters' faces as they danced around the family room.
Instantly, I was given a Holy Spirit reality check.
I asked the Lord to forgive me for my bad attitude, put a genuine smile on my face, and made the decision to enjoy the day just as it was, with my handsome husband and daughters.
As well as the AMAZING Christmas Eve dinner some friends blessed us with (Our church friends bless people with meals after they have a baby. Thanks, Friends!)
They came bearing gifts. lots of them.
I could only sit there and stare at all the things they brought. To say we were overwhelmed is putting it mildly.So after we ate our kingly meal, we finished up the Christmas Countdown.
The girls were on Cloud Nine. knowing that tomorrow meant presents and celebration and generally just a day marked Special.Even Lani seemed to get in on the hyper-excited mood.
Don't ask me what she's doing. But she was hamming it up hardcore.
But my laid back newborn....
...she was taking it all in stride. Enjoying the mass-hysteria level of noise; she seems to sleep better when there are wild sisters lurking near by.Being that we didn't go to Mom's, we decided to give them each a small present. And I'm so glad we did.
I think getting one present at a time helps to magnify the joy. stretching it out a bit.
Because we ALL know that crayons and coloring books would not have gotten this reaction had they been opened in the midst of bigger items. :)
They would have been thrown to the side and completely forgotten.
But instead they inspired almost an hour of Sister Time. where each of them played so nicely. coloring side by side. essentially begging each other to puh-lease color with them on their page.
I love how they loved these small presents. And truly enjoyed them...
...and each other.
Charis sincerely loved her "real" Bible.
I wasn't sure how she would react. But she loved it. took it to bed with her. read excerpts to us as a family. and kept saying how her Bible was the best out of all her friends. :)
She was wayyy thrilled that there's a place for her to write out her prayers for people. She asked if she could write in cursive. :)Man, I just want to squeeze these girls. They are so precious with their thankful spirits and optimistic attitudes.
I have a feeling I will learn a lot from them over the next few years.
