Christmas Eve

I've been thinking with the change of the new year about what things are important to me.  As I have looked back over this blog, I realize that even though we are far from perfect, we have a good life and because I have failed to write things down over the last 2 years, I have forgotten many precious moments.  My children are growing and doing good things and I want to remember these times forever.  So, I am going to do better at recording the important (and probably unimportant) things that happen in our family.


So, with that intro....here is Christmas Eve 2012 at our house:

 

New pajamas for everyone and lots of silly poses.  I love the smiles on the kids faces.  There was something magical that night...it was bigger than the anticipation of the coming day.  It wasn't the amazing spiritual evening we had spent together reflecting on the Savior's birth (Cuz to be totally honest, we didn't get around to actually doing anything like that...though we did read our regular chapter in family scripture study...and no, it wasn't the Christmas story or anything even related to that...it was a chapter somewhere in the middle of Alma. I have no idea why we read that instead.  It was a long day. I wasn't actually thinking very clearly....obviously....Okay, I'll tell you what happened. My parents are on a mission this year and my mom always has us over for Christmas Eve and this year she wasn't here and I fell apart.  But it's okay...it's okay...)

It seemed to come from the idea of being in a room that was warmed by and smelled of freshly lit firewood, the feel of soft, brand new pajamas, the soft lighting of the Christmas tree, and the feeling of PEACE and JOY everyone felt just being together. There were no outside influences to distract us for a few moments that evening.  It was just us!! Just laughter, dancing, tumbling, and silly poses for the camera.

For a moment I was frustrated that we hadn't had the "ideal" Christmas Eve.  Then I sat back on the couch... exhausted from the entire year...and just watched them play. And I realized I hadn't missed out on anything. Christmas is LOVE, it really is that simple.  It's true Christ-like love, And our small, humble home was filled to overflowing with love that night and it was captured in the smiling faces of my six beautiful children.

There will be another year to get it all perfect...but this year we did things a little differently and it was still good.

Merry Christmas!