Merry Christmas! It's certainly been a busy holiday season around our house! Amid all the chaos I try to find time to update my Gratefulness Journal which I started a few months back. I'm up to #573 even though I don't write in it daily, which is what I wanted to do, I do add a bunch of things each time I sit down with it.
Cookie Baking!
Jordan, Wayne, and Anna
#570- I'm thankful that Sierra and Anna help me with all the holiday baking! It was a blessing to be able to hide in my room and wrap presents while the girls were doing the annual baking. They were a huge help to me.
Christmas Eve morning football anyone?
What's with teenagers who have to be doing something somewhere all the time with their friends? A bunch of the kids from church like to get together often to play football. And of course Christmas Eve morning sounded like a good time to play! #571- I'm thankful for a husband who will shuttle Sierra, Andrii, and Anna off to play football, while I stay home and get my Christmas broccoli casserole made.
Christmas Eve
Around the island l to r: Wayne Jr. (seated), me, Sierra, Curtis, Keith (my nephew), Nicholl -JC's fiancee (seated), and Kerri (seated).
Our Christmas Eve is celebrated with my husband's family, and we take turns with hosting the celebration. This year it was Wayne's brother John and his wife Liz's turn to host. In spite of the incredible heart break that our family has been walking through with the loss of John and Liz's son, my nephew JC, back in September, they decided to go ahead and host the gathering. After appetizers and a ham dinner we gathered together for my mother-in-law to read the Christmas story in Luke. Then she shared some words and my father-in-law (our beloved patriarch) shared some words. My son Curtis was asked by Liz to read the poem "Christmas In Heaven." Then my father-in-law closed in a prayer of thanksgiving. It was a tearful time, but we made it through even though a V.I.P was missing.
John, Vienna, and Wayne
This pic cracks me up because Vienna hopped right in my husband's lap. I think she thought he was John - like she didn't realize the difference!
Christmas Morning Stocking Opening!
Slava & Jordan strolled out about 7:15am to check out the tree. Anna joined them shortly thereafter. After waking up Daddy (Mommy was up first!) we let the little kids open their stockings while waiting for the big kids to roll out of bed. By about 8:00am we were all gathered in the living room where we all prayed and then sang, "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Then present-opening commenced!
Christmas Morning Breakfast!
It's been our tradition to have Christmas Quiche for breakfast. It makes the morning easier since I make it the night before. The home-made cinnamon rolls are a newer tradition we've done about 5 years now. The inspiration for them came when we were in Ukraine 6 years ago for our 1st adoption. We spent Christmas morning there at the home of dear missionary friends, Joey and Laura Stoltzfus. Laura made these delicious cinnamon rolls for breakfast that morning, and now I make them for Christmas morning too. Actually, this year, Sierra made them. They're pretty easy since we make them the night before, and I just have to put them in the oven for 20 minutes when we get up. Yummy! Notice the new stove. #520 - I'm thankful my oven broke a week before Christmas (in the midst of baking cookies) instead of breaking on Christmas morning!
Missy got a microwave for Christmas!
Missy joined us for Christmas Eve and then had to work 11pm to 7am. She came from work after picking up her boyfriend, and made it in time to open presents with us. Then she went to take a nap in Sierra's room.
Officer Flach
Jordan wants to be a police man. He asked for a police baton for Christmas. We got him the baton, the uniform, hand cuffs, and a badge. He loved it!
Wayne Jr., Kerri, and Andrii!
#572 - I am so blessed to have ALL of my children under one roof for Christmas Day! Wayne & Kerri arrived around 2pm after spending the morning with her family. Her parents and sister joined us for Christmas dinner as well.
Jordan, Sierra, and Slava
Christmas night ended with Sierra hosting a sleep-over in her room with the little boys. And to all a good night!
Oops, this pic is out of sequence, sorry.
My parents arrived by noon to exchange gifts and have dinner with us too. #573 - celebrating Christmas with both of my parents. My cousin, Vess, and Jean & Earl Smith Missy's God-Parents) also joined us for dinner - that made a total of 20 people around our dinner table. It was a busy, blessing filled day of family, friends, food, and fellowship. God is good!
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