Update from December #3 - Christmas Day

Christmas morning setup

We had a wonderful Christmas! My children have such an amazing capacity to give and share! They chose to give up 1 of their three gifts in order to choose something from the Samaritan's Purse Catalog to give Jesus (for what you do to the least of these, you do unto Jesus)...

What a joy it was to watch them pouring over the catalog for the days leading up to Christmas to see what they wanted to give, then they got to announce what they wanted to give on Christmas morning!

I love watching my children on Christmas - I love that they have so much excitement over giving their secret sibling present. I love watching them open their gifts with awe and wonder in their eyes!

This is the 2nd year that the twins asked if they could help with Christmas morning set up...I told them not this year, and probably not for several years to come. I explained to them that this is their time to enjoy everything being done for them, and that one day, sooner than they think, they will be helping me get Christmas all set up, and they will have their own homes, and their own families for which to be setting up Christmas. It also made me realize that my time, with everyone at home, is also limited. I have only a few short years when my children are young and small to enjoy this time of magic and wonder in their eyes during Christmas.

We are so excited to have Chris' parents living with us, as they have been the last almost 2 years, to enjoy special times like Christmas! They are a wonderful blessing, and a help. It is also a joy to watch their interactions with our children. The advantage that grandparents have over parents is one of experience. They have a better perspective on what is really important. I have really learned a lot from watching them!