Christmas

This year for Christmas, we traveled to my parents’ home.  We spent the weekend prior to Christmas through Christmas Day at my family's.  My siblings and I all thought it felt a little unusual to be there so much before Christmas day; we weren’t always rushing around to get things done.  This Christmas was relaxing with lots of time for rest and fun, and not nearly as much work.

We did most of our usual traditions with the church Christmas program on Christmas Eve, followed by my parents opening their gifts from church family, and enjoying mom’s eggnog (I think my sister may have actually made it this year).  We stayed up late playing the came of Pit, which was tons of fun.  Some of us were laughing so hard it made us cry and gave us sore stomach muscles.

Bentley entertained herself before the Christmas program by dancing in the front of the church.  Uncle C danced with her for a while.  It was really adorable.

Unfortunately, the late night and several coughing spells through the night made me quite miserable for Christmas Day.  We started the morning with our tradition of my dad reading the Christmas Story from Luke, opening our stockings, then opening our gifts.

This is the pile of presents just before we opened them.  My brother and I were taking pictures so we aren’t in this picture.

During the time we were there, most of my pictures were taken with my iPod rather than the camera.  Once I looked at the pictures on the computer I realized they weren’t nearly as clear as they first appeared, so I won’t be sharing many of those pictures.  Here are just a couple of pictures of the girls during the gift opening:

Bentley loving up the new bedspread for her's and Bria’s bed.  They couldn’t wait for us to put it on their bed when we got home.

The gorilla from Uncle C and Aunt T that is just as big as Bentley.  She had a great time tackling, hugging, and playing with it while we continued to open gifts.  She named him George, after Curious George.  Here at home she carries him everywhere.

Bria really likes this blanket from Uncle N that says “Tractors are for Girls”. 

The girls have really been enjoying their new clothes and toys.  Thank you everyone for all your generosity.  I really appreciate that we emphasize that even though we open presents that Christ is the center of Christmas.  Bria has continued to say since we’ve been home, that Jesus is important, not presents.  I hope that both girls will continue to realized that truth every year when we celebrate Christmas (and all through the year).

Christmas Concerts

The week before Christmas, we had our church Christmas concert and Bria’s school concert.  Both our families came to see both concerts.  It worked out very nicely that they were only one day apart.

David ended up being the only one in the church concert.  Bria, Bentley, and I were still coughing and/or had sore throats the night of the concert.  David has had a cold at least as long as Bria, but he seemed to be doing well enough to sing for the concert. 

For being a small church, with only a small group of singers, they did a wonderful job.  It was enjoyable to sit in the audience and listen to the songs I had practiced for months.  Hopefully, my occasional coughing and sneezing didn’t disrupt the music too much.

The men singing their song.  David is the second one in on the right.

Bria’s concert was the next night.  She had missed the whole week of school prior to the concert because of her cold, which came with a fever.  Finally on the day of her concert, she was doing well enough to go to school.  She was nervous about standing up in front of everyone to sing.  Once she saw her dress, however, she was excited to show it off, and her nerves seemed to settle down.  She did a great job of standing calmly and participating in the singing and actions of her songs.

Bria is at the very left end.

Bria and Bentley before the concert.

We really appreciate the grandparents coming and helping us while we were all sick.  My parents stayed an extra day, and I went to with David to one of his meetings so I could finish up the Christmas shopping.  By the time David’s meeting was done, we were both feeling run down from being sick.  Instead of staying for the date night we had planned, we just headed back home.

The next day we were supposed to go caroling with the church, but we were all too sick to participate.  Even our pastor was sick and couldn’t make it.  Unfortunately, David’s dad also got sick from being at our house.  That week was full of activities and illness.

Sick x4

Yuck! Everyone in our house is sick at the same time.  Since Thanksgiving one girl or the other had pink eye, then David started getting a cold, then both girls got colds, and yesterday it was my turn.  No one has gotten over their colds yet, but I am really hoping that David’s and the girls’ will be done soon. 

Bria has already missed enough school this year from all of the other times she’s been sick (tonsillitis, pink eye, etc.).  David and I are part of our church’s Christmas concert coming up on Sunday, and at this point there is no way we can sing if our throats and voices continue to be this bad.  Please be praying for all of us: that we will all get healthy and be able to make our commitments.