Christmas 2015

I woke up at 6:45 and got up so I could have my quiet time before Michael came to pick me up. I was to call when I got up or he was to call me if he got up before I did. But I wanted to have some time alone with God so I did just that.

What a blessed time it was too. So sweet. He has really shown me this Christmas season God with us, Emmanuel. How God became the human being Jesus Christ, born of a woman so the God of the universe could pay the price for sin that we as fallen men and women cannot pay. Such a truth! The old old story being ever new again at this time of the year.

I eventually texted JoAnna and told her I was up, she said Michael had just gotten  up and he would come soon.

What a morning filled with blessings being with Michael, JoAnna and Hannah. They take their time opening gifts and enjoying the gift they received before rushing on to the next one. There were many gifts for me, many of them brought tears, but I was told no crying so I did my best not too, but my heart was bursting with thankfulness to God for this special Christmas morning, my first one alone, since Andrew moved out.

My last gift from them was a pillow JoAnna made, a quilt type of the shirts Doug wore. I just lost it when I opened that. The tears just did not stop. I could see him in each shirt and being able to 'feel' the fabrics of the shirts just flooded with memories and the tears would not stop. It was such a touching moment, I was glad I was with them feeling the love and care in the room, and almost as if Doug were with us. Powerful moment. It's a really beautiful pillow too. It sits on my bed now and I cherish the love that went into making it. JoAnna told me she was going to do that I just was not ready for the beauty of it and the memories that flooded. Happy Anniversary, Doug.

We laughed and ate some great food. A blueberry, raspberry croissant bake YUMMMM! Some bacon and hash brown squares and of course candy and my very own Christmas stocking  with candy and a couple of cuties and one of my gifts was circus peanuts :) whoop!

We watched The Nativity Story and I was blessed again. One thing I got from the movie was when Mary asked who will believe me (that the angel told her she was to bear God's Son? Zechariah and Elizabeth believed her! So did Joseph! God's wonderful plan.

Hannah came over for the afternoon and we sat and watched a Hallmark Christmas movie and layed around. I got on the computer and played some solitaire. And cooked the beans. At 5:45 we packed up and headed for Matts.

What a great time. I am always blown away by his Christmas decorating! It's amazing. You just look and look and see new little displays and new things he has added. He really has a knack for doing that and so much stuff! I thought I was bad ;) It's nice to see how he celebrates Christmas :)

So many neat gifts from the kids . . . and when JoAnna's gifts were opened there was quiet a moment in the room. It was neat.

Good food, lots of talking, kids being kids and being loud, it was a great time. Everyone was there except for Rebecca and her family and the California girls of course. Sheila got some great photos of the night and a big group family photo, then families. What a blessed night.

Thank you, Jesus for your gift of family!

When I got home there was a message on my answering machine from Charles he wanted to wish me a Merry Christmas . . . so this morning I called him. Mary answered but she was just getting up, so I told her I would call her back in a while. I did call beck and had a really nice chat with her. Then she said Charles was still working on getting up he would call me back when he was up and ready to talk. He did call and we just had the nicest visit! I called my mom but they were on the way to the dog groomer's and she would text me when they were home. . . they must be having the longest grooming in history! I will try her again tomorrow.

Ready for bed now. This gal has a full heart!