Christmas 2024

Christmas was different this year, but we did our best to keep it as normal as we could for the kids. Despite the heaviness and sadness surrounding the holiday, we were all grateful for our Savior and the chance to celebrate His birth and the whole reason for His coming. 

Mike preached Christmas Eve, and we held 3 candlelight services. The kids and I went to the earlier service, and it was such a blessing to be with our church family again. Pastor John read a Christmas book for the kids, and had them join him on stage, which was so sweet and fun for them.

Our friend C came to Christmas Eve service!

Christmas morning, we ate cinnamon rolls {thank you, Pillsbury} and then we opened our stockings and presents. It seems like we always have a kid sick on Christmas. Thankfully it wasn't poor Aiden again, but this time it was Maddie girl. Poor girlie was pretty miserable, but she did seem to rally enough to get her presents from under the tree and open them ;) 

The kids were SUPER excited about their stocking stuffers {simple things I had collected throughout the year}, and it made me think we probably didn't really need gifts haha!

A sweet family in our Community Group had provided an entire Christmas meal for us, and we were able to enjoy that together. It meant so much that they had cared for us in that way, and it was such a gift that I didn't have to think about what I was going to feed my family on Christmas. It was so kind and generous, and I know that I felt incredibly loved and cared for.

Later in the day, we got to do Skype/Zoom calls with Grandma/Papa/Aunt Vi/cousins and Granny/Grumpz. We wish that we could be with everyone, but we are thankful that we could still "see" everyone and talk with them even being so far away.

This wasn't the Christmas we imagined, but we are thankful for how the Lord is caring for us in this season. We are thankful for Emmanuel, God with us.

Merry Christmas!