You wake up, bleary-eyed; yawning perhaps, and squinting at the clock, just like any other day. And then, suddenly, you realize-it’s CHRISTMAS! Sitting up, you realize that it’s not too early to get up- you don’t really hear any noise downstairs yet. So, you slide off the covers-leaving your pajama clad body to shiver a bit at the cold room-and gingerly step onto the thick rug that sits atop the shiny floorboards. Outside the door you hear little pitter-patters of feet in the hallway and voices talking in hushed, excited tones. Then, going as quiet as you possibly can on such an exciting morning and squeaking more than a few floorboards on your way, you descend the stairs. At the bottom, you can see the doorway to the library-where the Christmas tree is-covered from the floor to the top in snowflake wrapping paper. On one side, a slight crack in the paper offers a tiny glimpse of the tree light that sets the room aglow. You go to the bathroom to get dressed as quickly as possible, for who wants to bother with such things on Christmas when the very air is full of magic and anticipation. When you emerge from the bathroom, the room is buzzing. Your brothers and sisters are practically running circles with anticipation, and the feast of a breakfast begins to take shape-Mother’s fluffy, homemade biscuits, the fruit salad you labored over the night before, full of succulent slices of pineapple & grapes, blueberries and strawberries, creamy sausage gravy, and cheesy potato pie sit atop the island in the kitchen. The spicy smell of warm cinnamon permeates through the air as the sticky, gooey cinnamon rolls are pulled from the oven. Everyone sits down as the blessing is said, and then the little ones are first to rush to the delicious buffet spread before them. This day, however, their eyes are bigger than their stomachs-because excitement, no matter how delicious the food, doesn’t allow one to eat very much. Naturally, the children finished their feast before the slow-eating grown-ups, and are raring to go. After a few minutes more of eating, silence fills the room as the Christmas Story is read. You never tire of hearing the simple yet beautiful tale of the Savior-the birth of the Father’s one and only son. Afterwards, you and your siblings crowd around the door to the Library, waiting on your parents and grandparents to get the cameras at the ready for the busting through of the paper.
“ONE, TWO, THREE- GO!”
Shouts Father, and in you bust through the wrapping paper-the Christmas Tree lights shine bright in your eyes as you search for your stocking-the one with candy canes dancing across the green wool, your name embroidered on the front in scarlet thread. You find it-there, on the computer chair, and then proceed to empty the contents amid squeals of joy and surprise as your siblings do the same. The stockings are wonderful-each child receives the perfect, most beautiful gifts and candies, picked out lovingly by your thoughtful and caring Mother, who spent countless hours choosing the contents of the stockings for each of the six children, tailoring each to the personality (and taste!) of each child. In your stocking, you receive your very own pencil sharpener and set of pencils in a carrying case printed in a bright, cheery flower print. Also there are chocolates in various forms, including a dark one studded with succulent fruit, a pack of organic lollipops, creamy peppermints, chewing gum, beautiful hair clips and ties, a ’58 convertible, and a tin of color changing putty, which, because you are a very tactile sort of person, you take it right out of the box and watch the purple putty turn to a bright pink with the touch of your hands.
As you watch your siblings around you, smiling as they open their stockings, enthralled by their new box of princess band-aids, playing with a mouth-harp, or trying out a 3D puzzle-you sigh, and feel incredibly thankful and in awe of the great blessings the Lord has given you-not just the gifts, which are but temporary pleasures- the life that the Lord has so graciously given you, wonderful parents, who truly care for you, a comfortable, warm home, good (if not to mention delicious!) food, caring and generous Grandparents, a brand new baby brother in addition to four happy, healthy brothers and a sister- and, most importantly, a Savior, whose birth is celebrated on this joyous holiday. Opening presents, you feel the same feelings of thankfulness and joy for all the Lord has abundantly blessed you with. You would not be anywhere else than here, in your dear farmhouse, with all the people you love surrounding you.
Okay, if you've made it this far without falling asleep, that's pretty good. :-) Now, enough jabber, here's some pictures!
Oliver in his santa outfit on Christmas Eve! He even looks like he's smiling a bit.
The former baby and the baby!
Awww.........he's the cutest little baby in the world! (okay, I am slightly biased...) :-)
Table #1- l-r My lovely Grandma and Grandaddy, Sullivan, Zion, and Israel.
Galen and I at table #2-enjoying the delicious dinner!
My lovely Mother, who cleaned up for me!
".....and he took the roast beast"-from Sam's, that is. ;-)
"Ahviler" and I, as Zion calls him.
Then, Lillian and Zion started cuttin' the rug with Grandma and Grandaddy!
In our family, it is a tradition to paper the doorway of the room holding the Christmas tree and the gifts. When all are ready, cameras poised, we bust through the paper!
Zion proudly shows some of the contents of his stocking. And yes, it is a firework. :-)
As usual, everyone was delighted with the contents!
I was no exception.
Lillian with her lovely scarf from Grandma Rose!
Israel was very pleased with his Roman Centurion outfit. He adds this to his current collection, which includes policeman, knight, king, indian, and cowboy costumes. :-)
Miss Lillian opening her cute tea set-and it's made with recycled milk jugs to boot!
Zion opening his " 'rocery sore."Merry Christmas to one and all-and may you and your family have a blessed new year!
Cheers!
-Margaret
