This year we spent Christmas and Thanksgiving at home. I was not about to not have a Thanksgiving meal so Paul and I cooked till 3:00 in the afternoon amidst diapers, naps, and feedings. At 4:00 we enjoyed a delicious meal together, just the three of us while Rae slept. I was missing family and the Thanksgiving festivities because it would have been a day with more rest and less time in the kitchen but we still enjoyed ourselves.
December was just what we needed. We enjoyed serving all month long in ways that we could. We always try to do Light the World and this year was no exception but we did less because it was harder to get out. A few of my favorites for the month were taking our neighbors treats. They were all so kind and so excited to see us because Covid has kept them in and to themselves. Also making gingerbread houses, we started making the gingerbread together last year and it has been a fun tradition to continue. This year we added jolly rancher windows which was so cool. I also enjoyed going out to see lights at the zoo. They were simple and there wasn't a lot but it was fun to get out and drive around together. For the first time this year Audrey was able to be a Santa for someone else which was so fun. She enjoyed picking out gifts and delivering them quietly to a little girl who wouldn't have gotten very much for Christmas. I'm sure she will remember her first time being Santa for years to come.
Audrey spent an entire month at the table this year making gifts for us. At times I got frustrated with her about my dirty table. Her crafts were piled a foot deep and filled the entire table for weeks on end. I was always instructed to not look. I tried to be a good Mom and allow her creativity but sometimes I was overwhelmed. As I was putting presents under the tree on Christmas Eve I was overwhelmed with emotion. I had been on her for a month about my table and she was just doing the best she could to show love to her family on Christmas. I cried as I laid each of her boxes under the tree. I think Heavenly Father was trying to teach me a lesson...a much needed lesson. I was overwhelmed with his love for her. I felt the spirit whisper quietly of Audrey's love for me and each member of our family. It was such a beautiful feeling and I hope that next time I will have learned from my experience and let the dirty table slide.
Christmas morning was quiet and full of excitement from Audrey. I took pictures of the girls in their nightgowns with my phone and then put Raelyn down to sleep while we opened presents.
Audrey made Raelyn a book which was so so sweet. She made Paul a bunch of airplanes and she made us some activity books. The highlight of her gifts was a nativity made out of popsicle sticks. I wish I had of gotten a photo of it. I know all of her creativity was poured into it and I was surprised at the beauty of each piece. I placed it on the shelf next to my other two small nativities and carefully took it down and packed it away for next year. I want her to know how much her effort means to me. I hope it lasts for years to come.
Later in the day we played games and facetimed with family while eating a lot of pie. It was pretty much the best Christmas ever. The only thing that would have made it better would have been seeing more family but this year I was grateful to keep it simple.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Please excuse the phone photos. I was being lazy.
No comments:
Post a Comment