Yes, I know I am two weeks late posting a blog about Christmas.  I could blame it on the busyness of the holidays, but it would be a big, fat lie.  This year the holidays were just ... different.  I have been trying to think about how to describe it and I can't seem to put it into words.  Maybe we adults have finally grasped how to have Christmas with children in our midst again.  Maybe the children are getting old enough to handle the boring adult stuff.  I don't know, but the holidays were wonderful, with very little stress.  I feel blessed that the holidays are always a wonderful time, but it just didn't seem so crazy this year. 

I won't get into all the details, but I would like to comment on a few of my favorite things.

• This year we did an Advent candle and read verses from the New Testament every night at dinner.  It was a wonderful way to get the girls into the Word and prepare our hearts for Christmas.  We fought each night about who got to blow the candle out.  The whole "peace on Earth" thing didn't sink in.
• I love to bake.  The girls love to bake.  This resulted in baking lots of cookies, often several times a week.  That's how we roll.  I put on 50 lbs.
• Chris was able to have time off of work, AND he was off of school.  It was like we won the lottery!  We spent lots of time loving on Chris!
• Although Livie was in the hospital on the 23rd due to extreme dehydration from Rota Virus, God blessed us with a speedy recovery and an uneventful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  On Sunday, Chris fell ill.  Wait a minute, didn't I say it wasn't stressful this year?  Ok, this part may be the exception.
• Christmas morning was a blast.  The girls' excitement and thankful hearts were awesome.  Santa brought each of the girls a special gift.  Yes, our girls believe in Santa and yes, we are ok with that.
• We were able to spend Christmas Eve with the Troxel family, and Christmas Day with the Kammeyer family.  Both were wonderful times of extreme food consumption, lively chatter and Christmas spirit.

For many of you Christmas has already been removed from your mind, and you are chugging into the New Year at full speed.  For me this year, I have chosen to dwell on Christmas just a little bit longer.  Sometimes things are just so wonderful that you have to.