{pretty, happy, funny, real} in a season of abundant celebrations, part 4
| a weekly capturing of contentment in everyday life |
After Natalie's 18th birthday and Rebekah's college graduation in mid-December, Brian said to me "OK, that's all the celebrations until the wedding, right?" I said "Right!" Pause. "Oh, wait. What about Christmas?"
As it turned out, Christmas was completely lovely and restful and sweet, albeit a bit milder in the gift-giving department. Here's a quick photo diary of our day together with our precious kids.
(Here's part 1 and part 2 and part 3 recapping this season of milestone celebrations for our family.)
| pretty, happy, funny, real |
Beautiful Christmas Eve service at Christ Church with family and friends.
For the first time in 25 years, our kids let us sleep in on Christmas morning. This turned into a leisurely start to the day with coffee around the table before Brian read the Luke 2 passage to us. Delightful.
Among the gifts under the tree, we started with a package from Brian's mother. She thoughtfully sent each of the kids Christmas ornaments that their Dad and Aunt JoAnn hand painted 40 years ago. She also made each one of us a tiny, original handpainted canvas. We called her and wished her a Merry Christmas from all of us via speaker.
Partway into our gift opening I received a text from one of my dear, co-worker friends telling me to open my front door. We didn't quite know what to expect from this friend and her wiley roommates, but didn't expect this lovely basket of homemade, a-maz-ing muffins!
Mmmmmm.
Brian especially loved the post script on the Christmas card poking a wee bit of innocent fun on his declaration to the entire second service of Christmas Eve churchgoers the night before: "There are no more cookies!"
A handful of happy photos from our gift exchange. Brian and I had convinced the kids there would be no gifts this year (because of the delightful wedding celebration to come) so it was especially fun to surprise them with a few small things. We still had a gift exchange with each other and loved all the meaningful items picked out with each person in mind. Kendra may have received the World's Most Suitable Gift with this Star Wars Crochet kit from Amber.
We ended the day with a Christmas Day Star Wars viewing sponsored by more grandparents. We've never gone to the movies on Christmas Day, preferring to stay home in our pj's and wait a day or two for a family theater outing. What with the exceptional year brought by a wedding, and most-hyped-ever Star Wars release, we made an exception. It was, in fact, a very fun activity for Christmas Day (although, I sheepishly confess that I fell asleep. Please don't tell anyone!)
Brian and I love these people.
Have YOU captured any contentment this week?
I'd love to hear about it!
| Join in at P,H,F,R to see other wonderful people practicing contentment. |