Christmastide Daybook

On this second day of Christmas i find myself...

Enjoying the calm and quiet after the wonderful exuberance of yesterday's gathering.

Sipping the tea given to me by my older son's sweet girlfriend, a favourite of his and mine, which is no longer carried by any stores in the entire state of Texas; she ordered it online and surprised us both!

Looking at the tree, beautifully decorated on Christmas Eve by my youngest daughter and another daughter's new boyfriend.

Reflecting on the creche now complete with the babe in the manger.

Listening to


Praying for three dear families we know who lost loved ones.  One was murdered earlier in the month, and two died on Christmas Eve, both from cancer. One had only known he had cancer for a week; one had been battling for a while.  Two mothers and one father, leaving behind a total of seven children.  We rejoice that all knew Jesus and are spending a glorious Christmastide in His presence, where there is no sadness or sickness or sorrow, but we grieve their loss, especially to those who were closest to them.  We know their hearts are breaking, and ours hearts ache for them.

Waiting for the birth of our first grandchild.

Thanking God for the Greatest Gift! 

On the Second Day of Christmas

The past few days have been so enjoyable for me, and i am still enjoying!

• Thursday: my husband and i kissed the kids good-bye, got in the car and headed down the road on a two-hour drive out to the town where my daughter & son-in-law manage a coffee shop and bed & breakfast; they had given us a night's stay as an anniversary gift!
• Friday: our 23rd Anniversary!  We had a great breakfast prepared by our daughter, and spent the day with her perusing the shops.  Then we had lunch with our son-in-law, said our good-byes, and headed home.  I gave my husband 23 kisses & hugs (the chocolate variety; i gave him the others as well, but i didn't keep count!); i printed out "I love you" in 23 different languages, and i made a playlist with 23 songs from the year we married.  Then we watched "Big" with the kids, because it came out that year.
• Christmas Eve: we set up the tree.  Our oldest daughter and our second daughter & husband came.  We went to church, where my husband and youngest son played guitar while my youngest daughter sang a song which my husband wrote.  We had a late supper of tortellini, spaghetti, and meatballs as well as assorted cookies for dessert.  We put up lights and decorated the tree.  I prepped the breakfast casserole and went to bed.
• Christmas Morning:  it was so wonderful to come downstairs and see the lights!  I got up around 4 and had a wonderful prayer time by twinkle-light, then began peeling, chopping, mixing, and cooking our traditional Christmas brunch; this is my gift to my family.  The kids started getting up and saying, "Merry Christmas."  Everyone was awake by about 8, so stockings were opened (again); a few gifts and hugs were exchanged; i read the Christmas story from the Bible; my husband prayed, and we all dug into the food.  We had orange danish rolls, egg-cheese-chorizo casserole, cranberry-apple-pear crisp, potatoes with li'l smokies, assorted fresh fruits, crackers & hummus. Then my daughter and her husband left to have Christmas with his folks.
• Christmas Afternoon:  my husband and two boys went to see a movie, while the four girls and i napped and had an impromptu jam session with guitar and voices.
• Christmas Evening: we munched on leftovers and watched "Polar Express."  Then my oldest daughter went back to her apartment, taking my 17 year-old to spend the night with her.
• Today: the shepherds have left, but the animals are still worshiping the baby Jesus in the manger, and the wise men have begun their journey, following the star.  We have enough leftovers to get us through the day.  My husband has the day off and is honouring some of the Christmas coupons he gave to the kids, spending some 1-on-1 time out with the 14 year-old this morning, the 12 year-old this afternoon, and the 15 year-old tonight.  I am sipping a gingerbread latte, listening to my Christmas CDs,  typing by twinkle-light, thoroughly enjoying this Christmas Season, which has only just begun!

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