Thanksgiving came, and a tree was gotten, and my parents left, and the shopping began, and then Christmas was, and then 2017! All so fast, all so busy, all so happy!
We went to get our Christmas tree, as is our tradition, as soon after Thanksgiving as we possibly could. We took my parents along for the experience. My dad had never been through the pick and cut your own tree experience, so that was fun.
Come December 7th, we dropped my parents off at the airport in Syracuse. It never gets easier. They went past the security check and we watched them disappear into the busy airport hallways. Quietly we began our walk back to our vehicle. Faces silently wiping tears. As we stepped outside and bundled our coats tighter (even the cold feels colder when you're sad), Ben leaned close and whispered "...we're only a couple hours away from my parents...?"
"Sure" --I said-- "it will cheer up the kids"
the next few hours were spent hugging and visiting in a whirlwind, and that same night we were on our way back home. After that, it feels like December was quickly blinked away!
We decorated rum logs.
A smaller tree was a must this year because the living room furniture was in the den. This room has served us through our years here as a bedroom, a family room, a dining room, and finally a living room. It's the first year that I actually put tree decorations back in the box because they couldn't possibly fit our tree!
We saturated the tree.
We read Christmas books together and sang Christmas carols
We prepared for the Christmas party for the leadership of CFCM graciously hosted by the Deschaines with lots of food and goodies. Once the party was done, we got lost in the cyber world of shopping for Christmas gifts, and before we knew it Christmas was here.
Adriana made Christmas gifts for everyone this year. My favorite? a "find the doggie" book she made for Victoria!
Candle light service was attended, and Ben and the kids set out a Christmas Eve spread of snacks for our yearly viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life". We filled out stockings, brought down the presents after the kids were in bed, and crashed for a few hours before getting up to bake cinnamon rolls and coffee. Victoria loved tearing wrapping paper off, Leo loved receiving presents, and all in all our Christmas was a success.
We welcomed the New Year quietly at home, so that we could get up early and go to church the next morning!
The Holiday Season seems to get busier and fly away faster as the children grow. It's so hard to slow it all down enough to capture every precious moment, to hold on to every little memory! 2016 was a year of growing, learning, changing, molding, adjusting, and 2017 peeks at us with promises of even more change and growth. The one thing that remains steadfast as the calendars get swapped is the faithfulness of the One we love and serve. That is such a good thing! I don't think I could survive all this "daily-ness" of life without the hope of Christ!
I know this is kind of very late, but I certainly hope that your 2017 is full of Christ every day!