Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year to All!

We have all been so busy the past few weeks that I haven't posted any pictures or blogged at all. We are enjoying the holiday season immensely! We put up the Christmas decorations the Friday after Thanksgiving. The kids have been enjoying watching the Christmas cartoons and movies. Everyday one the kids places the next piece of our Advent calendar on to the manger scene. This is a very big deal!

Luke was great in his class holiday program. The kids were all so cute! On Christmas Eve he will be performing in our church's Christmas program. He has a speaking part. Both he and Maggie will be singing in their choirs. We just have to keep them healthy.

Luke is on his second round of antibiotics for strep throat. At least he is on meds for the next ten days so hopefully he will stay healthy through the holidays.

We are all so excited we have family coming to spend part of the holiday with us. My sister and her family are coming and will be staying a couple of nights. We will have a full house! This year we are hosting Christmas for my family at our home. Yikes 17 of us in our little house! I am really looking forward to it! Matt is saying, "yah, I'll be out for the season..." Matt's brother's family is coming too! We are excited to see the Texas clan! Luke is sooooo happy that he will get to see all of his cousins this year!

I worked on Christmas cards today. So, I thought I would share what our good friend Dee came up with for our Christmas/New Years card. Coming to a mail box near you! Matt and I wish you all peace and joy in 2008.

Finally, a friend sent me very nice poem about the season and putting Christ and our families first.

______________

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband, wife or significant other.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.