First, we had a spectacular Christmas filled with God's love and smiles all around. My dad and step-mom made the voyage to see us this year and it was such a wonderful visit. It was unfortunately cut short by two days- the day they were suppose to leave a huge snow storm caused them to turn around and leave the following day, and then day they were suppose to travel back home another snow storm was going to come in, so they left a day early to get ahead of the mess. Even with two days lost, it was a blessing every moment they were here.
My step-mom and Lauren did a lot of playing and Lauren loved having Grandma Sue sleep in her bedroom with her. She hasn't stopped talking about Grandpa Mike since he left, it's rather adorable. Matt and I enjoyed sleeping in a bit each day as Grandma and Lauren would get up and play while we laid in bed and enjoyed our extra quiet time. My dad was awesome in helping get the closet's organized by installing shelves for me. Matt and I got away for a free date night!! My parents babysat and we enjoyed some Red Lobster thanks to my Grandma and Grandpa's generous gift card present. We just spent a lot of time together enjoying each other and being productive at the same time (my dad has to have a project to keep him occupied or he gets stir crazy). It was just a great time for Lauren to get to know them and for them to get to know her. It brings a smile to my face as I think about it now!
In the middle of the visit, we especially enjoyed celebrating the birth of baby Jesus. Christmas Eve is usually when all the holiday hub-bub starts here. I usually make a soup in the crock-pot or on the stove to be eaten after the Christmas Eve service, but this year Grandma Sue took over and made crock-pot minestrone soup (oh so good) while my dad, Matt, Lauren, and I ran to Lowe's to get all the closet supplies we'd need since stores would be closed the next day. We got started during Lauren's nap, but unfortunately we had to wake Lauren up from her nap to get to the church service on time, so she seemed a little out of it until we got home. Our church does a "spontaneous" Christmas pageant and this year Lauren was an angel. She was so cute!
How it works is someone tells the Christmas story and each section of the story brings kids dressed as angels, sheep, and wise men to the front during a song that accompanies that part of the story. Lastly, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus arrive. So for her part, our little angel went up front. Well, to give a little background each Sunday our church has a children's time when the kids go to the front, sit with the pastor and he tells the message to be given that day to the kids on their level. Lauren has been going up there for a long time, but not so long ago she started getting up and wondering and checking the area out. We had to talk with her each week about staying put and listening to Pastor Spencer. So when daddy brought her up front and put her down she didn't move, just like we taught her. However, she was right in the middle of the walk way and people were asking her to move so more kids could fit up there. Each time she would point at us, like saying "Mommy and Daddy told me not to move or mess around." (See the second picture below)
So this brought one of her friends down to sit next to her, Renae, (mind you this girl is three years old) and she spent the better part of five minutes trying to get Lauren to move- this wasn't working. So she got up to tell her mom and then another little girl takes her spot next to Lauren, and boy did this upset Renae. By this time it was hard to watch anything else going on or pay attention to anything being said. By the end the three girls had gotten up and were dancing. Lauren in all her glory, pulled up her dress and picked her noise, while the other girls were crawling and chasing each other. It was so close to the end that we left her there. She sat through 95% of it, just joined the other girls in the last few moments of crazy. Oh goodness- I know it brought a smile to my face and the faces of those around me. Childhood is so wonderful!
After getting home, we ate our yummy soup, decorated cookies for ourselves and Santa, then we read the book "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and allowed Lauren to open one present. This present happened to be the present that stole the show this year. It was her shark stuffed animal, which she has since named "Sharky, My Sharky" Check out the smiles below...
Before we knew it Christmas morning had arrived! Here are the few shots we got of opening gifts, making blueberry pancakes and eating them, and then playing with our presents:
We spent the rest of the day enjoying each other and being bums. It was a wonderful Christmas! We are so grateful to celebrate the birth of our Savior that came so humbly into our world, as a baby, to give us his grace and mercy. That is the biggest gift of all and there is no god, like our God- one who loves us in spite of our selfishness and sin. I pray that I always remember he is the reason for the season and HE is the best gift of all!
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
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