Christmas 2009 Moments

Here's a list of my favorite memories from this Christmas season, in no particular order.

• choosing the Christmas tree and listening to Wee Sing for Christmas in the car on the way to the farm and back
• Nathan saying, "I see something enormous in the living room" the morning after we set the tree up
• baking chocolate crackles
• teaching Nathan that lights at Christmas time remind us that Jesus is the light of the world
• Isaiah 9:6, which reads: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
• Thunder Road half-marathon and Handel's Messiah
• Mel's choir performance with Nathan sitting beside me in the worship center
• playing with the nativity felt hanging and telling the boys the Christmas story
• blowing on the little elves above the kitchen table, and Mark "blowing," too
  
• Mark playing with the Christmas tree ornaments
• playing outside on the afternoon of Christmas Eve

• Christmas Eve service at Christ Covenant
• hearing two sermons from John 1 about Jesus being the Light of the World
• singing "O Come, All Ye Faithful," which has become the song Nathan sings while we brush teeth at night
• seeing the wonder in the boys' eyes on Christmas morning as they discovered their gifts

• enjoying Hershey's kisses and candy canes with Nathan
• baking gingerbread cookies on Christmas Eve, although next year I will finish all baking by noon instead of dragging it out into the evening hours. Santa's helpers need a break on the night before Christmas.
• having extended time to visit with Kate and J.W. while they were in Cheraw
• Nanny & PopPop's house for Christmas Day dinner
• lunch at Aunt Jane's house, and having Grandma look at me like she really knew me - she said "How did everybody get here? This is so special. I love you."
• Greg and Nathan taking a surprise trip to Natchitoches to visit Gram, Gramp, Great Grandma, Aunt Amy & Uncle Cole
• finally feeling like a normal person the week after Christmas, after dealing with bronchitis and a cold/sinus infection. It's good to be healthy again!