Merry Christmas

Today begins our family's Christmas festivities and I am so ready! Long about yesterday morning God moved in my heart and gave me the anticipation I had been missing.

Today we will go and celebrate with my Mom and our family there. After gifts and dinner we will all go to Church in the lovely Church I grew up in. This has brought more anticipation from me than anything else, seeing the beautiful stained glass windows and hearing Ann Emmans play the pipe organ. Those things remind me of when I was 6 and sitting next to my Grandma in the pew on Christmas eve. Tonight my girls will have that same feeling. In lovely dresses with lit candles singing Silent Night. Standing while the pipes ring out a jubilant Joy to the World. Then walking out and looking at the sky to see if Santa is in sight. The nostalgia is overwhelming.

Tomorrow morning we will wake up to the joy and chaos of a Santa filled tree. We will rip paper with abandon to see the shiny prize inside. Then we will pack up the mini van sleigh and head off to my Hubby's parents for more lovely family and food. With our final stop at my Grandmother's house for a ruckus of paper and laughter and delicious cookies. Finally the day will be done and the kids will pass out from exhaustion and J and I will watch A Christmas Story and toast to another Christmas well done.

I pray for each one of you that you have a wonderful Christmas full of family, food, and fun. May God's peace fill your heart and allow you to fully enjoy each precious moment with your family.