Christmas Eve Traditions

This has been an unusually stressful week. The kids have been out of school since Friday, and for some reason once again the kids have passed the stupid ole' stomach bug back and forth between them this week. (the same thing happened during thanksgiving break). I had set a goal to get the girls room more organized prior to christmas as to make room for new things, and it was just long over due! In the process we have found clothes they hadn't seen in months and my washer and dryer have run nearly non-stop!

All day today I kept thinking how it just did NOT seem like christmas eve! This is just the second christmas holiday here in florida. And with the move has come a change in tradition for us. In the past christmas eve was normally spent at our house or my mom's sharing dinner together and then we exhanged gifts with them and sometimes my sister would come as well. This year Lexi spent it in bed most of the day, I helped clear out the last of the clutter in the girls room, laundry, laundry laundry and more laundry was done and jason spent the day at work.

Then after dinner we headed to River for a christmas eve service. I think there is when it finally started to feel more like christmas. I was reminded that all of the issues i had stressed about during the past week were so petty and not at all what this time of year should be about. I was reminded of the awesome gift of jesus that we were given and celebrate this time of year. And I was surrounded by my family of friends who I am very thankful for!

After the service we headed home and the kids got snuggly in the their new pj's and were so excited to open the presents they had made for each other and for j and i. It was so very wonderful to see the looks of their faces as they passed out their gifts to one another. They were truly happy for each other and i think they got more out of giving the gifts than receiving them! I know we try to stress that giving is better than getting, but this year it really seemed to sink in! After each one would open a gift they would hug, pose for a pic, and express their gratitude. A funny note is that all of the gifts were things they either already owned and just passed between them or had purchased for under a dollar at the school's santa store. :o) J and I were so filled just watching them tonight!

And now Santa has come, all are in bed, I am left wide awake anticipating the adventures tomorrow will bring. J will head to the mission bright and early (about 4am) and the kids will awake to stockings and then we will joining j at the mission for the annual christmas luncheon. I am thankful for the new traditions we have begun as a family and am thankful for the opportunities my kids have to be involved in serving others!