Christmas Dreams

 

 

As you can guess, so much has happened since the last blog. I wish I had the time to blog every day because I find it therapeutic however, some days just don't allow me the time. So, here it goes... the catching up, I mean.

 

Our Christmas season began back I August when I started writing the Christmas play for CMA. I won't go into the details of that but everything was a success. Ok. Moving on. 2 days after the Christmas play, we all had Christmas parties to attend. My daughter had one with kids church and it was a dress up party. She had to come in a Christmas costume..... Soooooo, she went as Cindy LouHou. Which, she pulled off splendidly! Before we left, she was walking around the house repeating the line, "Mr. Grinch. Mr. Grinch." It was so cute! She sounded just like her!

 

After we got Campbell off to her party, it was a party for us with our church group. It was an ugly Christmas sweater party. There were the funniest sweaters there, however, I think Mike and I were pretty terrible! The best part about our outfit wasn't that the sweaters were horrid, it was that we matched! Loved that!

 

Our parties were a success and it officially started the Christmas celebrations.

During this time, Mike's Parents, Bill and Linda, came into town to celebrate Christmas with us and we had a great time with them. The brought presents with them and were here to see Campbell in her first Christmas play. They brought with them a gift from Campbell's Aunt Doey. It was a dress up Princess outfit, which we had to put on immediately! She looked beautiful. I am very thankful for all of the people who love my children. What a blessing.

 

 

All of my life, we have celebrated Christmas Eve with the Thomas side of the family. A few years ago, we moved this night to the 23. I'm not sure why but I like this tradition. Christmas starts earlier that way!  This year, we had the celebration at a Lodge that my Uncle runs. It was beautiful. They had decorated it all so wonderfully and it was big enough to host our very large family. The kids were able to spend time with their cousins and it is always special to be with them.





We, my sister and I, have always woken up at my parents house on Christmas morning. I can't imagine being anywhere else. When we had children, we needed a good option for our Christmas morning. We wanted a tradition that was special to us and our family so we decided that Christmas Eve morning was the perfect morning to have our Christmas. When we got home from the Thomas family Christmas, it was technically our Christmas Eve. Growing up, and still to this day, we have always gotten to open one present on Christmas Eve. The present has always been new PJ's. I thought this was a good tradition and decided to start it with my kids. This year, the PJ's that I got them had a bear and a doll that came with them and they had on matching PJ's. It was so cute! They kids loved them and so did I. 

Like ever parent, on Christmas Eve, after the kids went to bed, it was set up time. We got out both of our tool bags and went to work. Mike worked on Carson's tool bench and drum set and I worked on Campbell's desk and organizing the gifts. We don't put our any of our presents until the kids go to bed on Christmas Eve. So, when the go to bed, there is nothing under the tree, then when they wake up, the living room is full! It adds to the excitement! There are always a few presents unwrapped and sitting in front of the wrapped gifts.

 

I don't mind staying up and setting up Christmas for my children. I usually prefer to go to bed early but there is something about setting up on Christmas Eve. I heard a new song this year by Francesca Something... it's called Christmas Dreams. It talks about a Mom turning out the lights on Christmas Eve, thinking about her children and the gifts she knows they are going to love. It talks about how no one is ever to old for Christmas dreams. I have to say, it's true. I'm not sure who is more excited on Christmas Eve. My children or myself? There are not many things better than watching your children on Christmas morning. 

I told her that she couldn't have the bear because Christmas was so close but that she could put it on her Christmas list. Well, she did! She told everyone that the only thing she wanted was this white bear. I went back to get it and it was gone! I went to the Wal Mart in town, the Target in Benton and looked on Amazon. I found it on Amazon but the bear was honey colored. She was specific. She wanted the white one... Lord help us all! So, finally, after nights of searching and days of shopping, I found it!!! The white bear! At Target online! Praise His Name! I ordered it immediately and it was in my hands with a week. Christmas was saved!

I told her that when I went back to Wal Mart to get it for her, it was gone. When she opened it Christmas morning, she looked at me and said, "Mom, you tricked me." What a great moment!

 

This is the bear who saved Christmas!

Carson is ALWAYS wanting to play the drums and symbols. His favorite thing in the world is music. So, we found a small set that would fit in his room. We knew we probably regret this decision but we knew he would like it the best, so we just went for it! We were right... he liked it the best. He played those drum for a solid 4 hours on Christmas day. He just kept moving the drums from room to room but he stayed hooked up. I just know he is going to be my worship leader!

After the full day at our house, we packed our stuff and headed to Nana and Poppy's. We had Christmas dinner together and it was so much fun. 

 

Well, the next morning was magical. Simply put, magical! The kids opened so many gifts and had such a great time. Campbell got a new princess dress which she has pretty much lived in since the moment she opened it.

We got my mom a canvas of a picture that Mike took of the ranch and the tractor. She loved it! LOVED IT!!!!. It was the best gift of the day for sure.

Campbell's big present was a cardboard house that she could play in and color. It was perfect for her. When she opened her eyes and saw it, she couldn't believe it. She loves to color and it was just the right size for her to enjoy.

Carson's big present was a tractor and trailer. 2 of the things that he loves the most in the whole world combined! It has been so cold that he hasn't had the opportunity to drive it a lot but he still loved it! 

After Christmas at my parents, we went to Mim and Pop's house for the evening. We all opened another round of gifts and we were blessed all over again!

The girls got matching Hello Kitty cups with hot chocolate packages in them. Campbell also got a new Cinderella PJ dress, which is featured in this shot!

Christmas night ended in the most amazing way possible, with snow! Not just a dusting either. Significant snow fall. When we got home from Mim's, I just had to let the kids go play in it! It was late and freezing cold but it was Christmas day for crying out loud! We bundled up and went outside to enjoy the pure magic!

 

 

The next day was snow filled wonder and it was enjoyed by all, including Max, who did, at one point end up on the sled being towed back to the house!

 

 I always think that the ranch is beautiful but on this day, it was an exceptional beauty. The sun was bouncing off the green trees covered in white, fluffy snow and the kids laughter filled the evergreen scented air. Mike pulled us in a john boat behind his 4 wheeler all over the ranch. It was the perfect combination of red neck and sheer genius!

Around every single turn, I was amazed at what I saw.

The beauty we saw, the magic we enjoyed and the memories we made this Christmas will last me forever. In fact, one of the best gifts I received this Christmas was the fact that my parents had my blog printed into 2 books. I don't how they did it but it was a great gift. I almost cried when I opened it. Seeing parts of my year captured in print and photos for me to view for years to come was overwhelming.

 

This Christmas season was overwhelming for so many reasons. I was reminded all over again, of the miracle of Jesus' birth as we watched The Nativity Story.

My kids had Christmas with 2 sets of Great Grandparents, both sets of Grandparents and both of their parents. We were blessed beyond what we deserve.

We got a White Christmas!

There is no possible way that this amazing season can be topped.  

 

It is my prayers that you had a great Christmas as well. That your home was filled with love and laughter as you made memories that will last a lifetime. I pray that your Christmas dreams all came true as we all celebrated the birth of our Savior.

 

I look forward to the New Year and all that it is going to bring. So, if I may, one last time...

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Goodnight!