Christmas this year was a mixture of quiet contentment and unending activity. Quite a combination. We stayed in Massachusetts and celebrated Christmas with Charles' parents who live nearby. Ironically, despite the fact that my family was far away, there were these wonderful bits of tradition that somehow made their presence known throughout Christmas. First of all, my Gram from Florida sent some wonderful oranges (yes, special ones straight from Florida that could never be replicated in the grocery aisles of New England). It was a little piece of sunshine. Babci (my great grandmother) sent me home from my last trip to Delaware with peirogies. Pierogies have been a staple for our Christmas eve dinner throughout my life. It wouldn't feel the same without them. Although Babci's cooking could never be replicated, pierogies made their appearance on our table Christmas eve. A little piece of family tradition that means more than the pierogies themselves. My parents and sister sent gifts and Kirstan and I had a wonderful chat on Christmas eve that temporarily cured my homesickness. With some time to reflect on our day, I realized that despite the fact that my family was not physically present, they were well represented in everything we did thoughout the day. I am proud of the traditions that we carry out and even prouder of how they have come to be real in our lives.
Here are our favorite moments:Scout is still waiting for a Santa sighting...
Julia dressed for Christmas eve service. Don't let that cuteness fool you. We let her go to the front of the church for the children's message. Charles and I had her contained from each side (we were waiting for her in the side pews). While attempting to adjust herself on each child's lap to hear the message, she just couldn't get comfortable so she ran down the center aisle to escape. It was the longest children's message ever! And Julia pulled out all of her tricks for it!
Christmas morning. Taking it all in.
Once she figured out that these packages were for her, she decided that she wanted to place them throughout the living room. Santa should have sent blocks this year. She was perfectly content stacking and unstacking the presents.
And the wrapping paper. Oh the joy!
Favorite gift of the day? Daddy found her a perfectly sized Grays field hockey stick.
The start of something wonderful!
Post Christmas pajama day. Julia and daddy are watching some cartoons in her new fort/tent. She grabs her blanket and is perfectly happy in her own little space.
We will wait out the blizzard from here.
Merry Christmas!
May you experience the joy of family and the peace of faith in each moment of the holiday!
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