Christmas 2008: Things to remember

December has been a full month full of fun and great memories for us. We always have so much to do in December, and this year I just feel so thankful that I did not get tense or stressed about things. I loved how the schedule just seemed to flow and everything we did was enjoyable.

We started the month with the Christmas parade. We also decorated a gingerbread house with the library, decorated our house and tree, made treats for some special people, went to Daddy's Christmas lunch (although we had a boy getting sick that day), and visited family. Caleb and I got off our schedule of doing lessons together. One thing we did do was make a paper chain to countdown the days until Christmas. This was a fun thing to do together. Each link had a Bible verse from part of the story of Christ's birth. He was cute tearing them off each day and bringing the link to me to read. As the chain got shorter he had to get a chair to reach to pull them off.

We started our Christmas celebrations with my husband's family on December 14. We had lunch together and exchanged gifts. This year we drew names for the adult gift exchange. Caleb was excited to get a new fire fighter helmet and had fun playing with his uncles and aunt.

We went to my Mom's house the weekend of December 19. Caleb opened a "fire hose" when we got there. He loves playing fire man! We opened our presents together on Saturday morning. My Mom fixed a nice meal for us Saturday evening and we ate and drove to look at lights with my Meemaw. Sunday afternoon we had more fun visiting with my aunt and cousin and opening more presents. Caleb thought it was grand to get a set of farm animals from my aunt. He was so proud this past Sunday morning to dress up in the shirt and tie from my cousin. Monday we went to visit the cemetery in remembrance of my Peepaw. We placed a little tree there by his grave. We also came home Monday.

Christmas week was a fun week because my husband was home. We had a laid back schedule, staying up late and sleeping in! On Christmas Eve we ate supper at home. Then we went out for dessert and to look at lights. Christmas morning we were at our house (that's our tradition). Caleb was emptying his stocking, and when he got to the bottom he said you gave me an apple again just like last year! I thought it was cute he remembered getting an apple. He loved his gifts and had fun playing all day. In the evening we had supper with my husband's grandmother and some extended family.

It was a blessing that my husband had vacation days he could take off so he was off all week. Monday night when he got back he really cleaned up the kitchen. It was so nice! My biggest surprise came Christmas morning. He bought me two things I'd requested: a hand-held blender (to make his pudding pies!) and new slippers (he gets me house shoes every year because I wear them out!). He got me a couple other things as well and pointed out one gift he wanted me to open last. When I tore off the paper he had covered a box with another box that said Macy's. The first thing I thought of was it had a picture of new dishes and he wanted me to pick them out. Nope! I tore back this box and inside was something wrapped in a sack. I pulled it out and it was an Ipod Touch. I still can't believe he gave it to me. I didn't even know what one was till earlier this month. I really like it though, it is so fun. We've been learning new features of it together. I loved the surprise and feel very thankful that he wanted to get this fun gadget for me!

This past Sunday, December 28 my Dad and his friend came to visit and bring Caleb his gifts. The little fire man is really prepared now with the fire pole my Dad made for him for the back yard. Caleb had asked me months ago if he could have a fire pole. I had casually said he would have to ask Grandad for that, he'd be able to make one. Well Caleb asked and Grandad did!

I have felt so blessed and peaceful this Christmas. I'm so thankful for the inspiring blog posts I've read about our Savior's birth as well as special times you have had with family. This is such a special time of year. I'm thankful for these special memories we've made together as a family.

Have a blessed week!
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"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me." Proverbs 8:17

Friday Favorites: Christmas #4

For my final Friday Favorite of 2008 I've chosen "Let There Be Peace on Earth." It is a song I remember singing in elementary choir, probably for a Christmas program. The words are very true. I love this version that I included above from You Tube.

This song makes me stop and think what can I do to "let it begin with me." How can I help there be peace on earth? I obviously can't call an end to the war or make people quit hating others. But how I live can be an example of peace. I can be an example of peace for my son by teaching him how to handle situations rationally. As a teacher I saw kids that did not have any example from their parents of how to handle problems other than going into a fit of rage or using violence. I can build my husband up with my words to him and about him to others. So many relationships have no peace. If spouses watched their words, this would change though. I can do other things to in response to others on the phone, in my car, and at the store.

With this post, it will be my last "Friday Favorite." I have enjoyed having these monthly themes for my favorite songs the past year. I have many more favorites, and since music plays such a huge role in my life I will continue to share favorites off and on in the future.

I do have something NEW coming for the first Friday in January that I would like to invite you to join. You'll find out more by visiting next week! I'm excited about this and hope it will be a blessing to my blog readers.

Have a wonderful weekend!
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"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." John 14:27

Christmas decorations

I thought I'd share some of our Christmas decorations.

First our tree. You can see the section in the bottom front where Caleb found to put several of his ornaments. The large circle is one he made in class recently on Sunday.



This is a new ornament we got this year when we went to the ACU game in November. I love it. I told hubby if I lived in a giant house with a bunch of rooms and trees in all the rooms that I'd like to have one tree with all purple and white ornaments. (I'd have another tree of Precious Moments ornaments since I have a lot of those too and another tree of our family, sentimental ornaments.)
This is my Precious Moment's Nativity set. Caleb helped me set it out. It sits on our bar. I had to put a box behind it so there would be a solid background.

Meemaw made these little crocheted candles. Many years ago she made them for a contest and won a prize for them.

Finally, this is the gingerbread house we made at the library party earlier this month.

I've enjoyed seeing the pictures of trees and decorations that everyone is sharing on their blogs. Have a great day! Hope you're staying warm....it's cold here!
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"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. " Psalm 20:7

Weekend

I hope you're having a nice weekend. I love, love, love this Christmas season! It is such fun for me to find gifts for certain people. I'm so excited to see them open their gifts too!

We are having a weekend at home. Friday night we had a nice evening eating supper at one of our favorite places and walking around the mall a bit. We dropped off some toys at the Toys for Tots drop off. Caleb bought a couple things last weekend but the guy was gone when we came out of the store. I heard on the news they'd be there this weekend so he got to drop them off and shake their hands. I also got a couple more things for my hubby. I've had a hard time figuring out what to get him this year. I finally figured it out though and am happy with what I decided!

Today we went back for a little more shopping. The wind is really blowing here today. It ripped the lights off our house. My husband said there is a very strong fire danger with the drought we're having added to the windy conditions. He came inside and smells like smoke, he sees fire somewhere in the distance.

We're having our first Christmas get together tomorrow afternoon with my husband's family. Have a good weekend. Thanks for visiting! I am thankful for my blog friends and how I have gotten to know so many nice people lately.
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"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, so that you though his poverty might become rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9