We decided years ago that waking up in our own house on Christmas morning is very important to us. So, traveling is something we prefer not to do at Christmas. We could change our mind at some point, but for now, this seems to really work for our family. We have traditions that we celebrate throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Rick had to be at church most of the day for the 4 Christmas Eve services that were held. In the past, this really bothered me. With a couple of years off church staff, and a different perspective, I didn't really mind making that sacrifice. Many people have to work on Christmas Eve. At least he was doing a job that we are both passionate about and called to.
We joined him for the first service at 12:00. Can I just say how much I LOVED this service. It was probably one of the best ever for me. The little kids got to wear their jammies and take blankets and pillows. I love that idea!! The service began with so much excitement that it just brought tears to my eyes. I just kept thinking, "Wow, we are really celebrating Jesus' birth." It started with a big "Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Jesus" from some children in the spotlight on stage. The lights were down, the music began and kids just started running down the aisles to the stage shouting and cheering. In the middle aisle, there were drums set up with fake snow on them. The spotlights highlighted that each time they were hit, snow flew up in the air. The stage was full of instruments and singers. There was even a banjo and mandolin. It was so awesome. Way to Go Mountain Springs Church!!
My family as I looked down the row!
The worship was awesome!
After a message from Pastor Steve, the service ended in candlelight. Even the kids got to participate with glow sticks. LOVED IT!!
Our family pic by the big tree
The kids and I left to head home. The girls and I worked all afternoon on foods for that night and Christmas Day. I could not have done it all without Lauren and Abby and all of their help. Rick got home and our Christmas Eve traditions began. We had our dinner of appetizers!
On Christmas Eve night, the kids get to open their ornament and their Secret Santa gift(the kids drew names and bought kids for the sibling they drew). Each year, I get them an ornament that represents something about them or their year. Lauren got to go first since she won the cookie decorating competition.
Lauren's ornament says, "I do my own stunts." There was a cast on the same leg and arm that she had a cast on this last year. I was so excited when I found this one.
Laila's said, "Let's Dance" since she is the dancer of the family
Isaiah's had a world, a cross, and John 3:16 since he asked Jesus into his heart this year!
Abby's ornament has braces
Sam got a football ornament that said, "Super Sam" for his first season of football
Cody got a wrestling ornament
Rick got this frying pan with bacon and eggs since he makes our
Saturday morning big breakfasts for the family
Before bed, cookies were put out for Santa
On Christmas morning, the kids come to our room at 7:30. They put on their Christmas jammies because I don't want to risk them ruining them during the night. Then, we read the Christmas story and pray together before we head downstairs.
Before any presents are opened, we have to take pics
The staged picture
The real picture
Next up, is stockings. I love stockings. There are so many fun things to find in them.
Santa always puts a dollar in the very bottom
Guess who got fun socks?
I usually get the oven started so our big breakfast can be cooking while we open gifts. The kids join together to hand out the presents.
Sam had to crawl under the tree to get everything.
It was 9:30 before we were finished. I am a big proponent of opening gifts one at a time. I want to make the experience last longer, and I want us all to enjoy what each person gets.
The aftermath
At about 10:00 we had our Christmas morning brunch: Country Ham, Biscuits, Garlic Cheese Grits, Mandarin Orange Salad, Scrambled Eggs, and Chocolate Milk.
Lauren and her rapper 'tude
The rest of the day was spent wearing jammies, playing with Christmas gifts, and my favorite, a Christmas nap!! We even got to skype with Papa and Grammy! Christmas night was spent with our meal of Fajitas Fa Jesus!
Rick got to grill in the snow this year!
Our friend Julie joined us for our dinner!!
We had a time of opening gifts with Julie afterwards. She brought the perfect gift for each of us!! We had a stocking of gifts for her.
It was a good Christmas. We had snow. We were together as a family. We are all healthy. We have a warm home to be in. We had yummy food to eat. We even got gifts.
Oh, and in February, I am going to Hawaii!! That was my BIG GIFT this year. More about that later!
