Christmas Week

Our Christmas this year was simple but so very perfect! On Monday after Andrew finished all his research(!!!) we watched the Nativity Story. I love how the story of Jesus’s birth is portrayed in that film from the perspective of Mary and Joseph. Having Emily in our home has made the experiences they must have had with the Christ child much more meaningful and real to me.

On Christmas Eve we joined four other families from our church for the evening. After a delicious ham and potato dinner, we read the the Christmas story in the New Testament and sang many of the songs from the Forgotten Carols and hymns. After a bit of chocolate cake we went home to open our traditional Christmas Eve gift, an ornament that represents our year. My parents gave Emily a Guess how Much I Love You ornament and Andrew and I a little red brick home with a white picket fence.

We also spent time packing for our upcoming trip to see both our families!

Christmas morning we were tempted to get out of bed and open gifts gifts after feeding Emily around 5 am, but we figured we would all be better off if we slept for a few more hours. When we did get up Emily wasn’t quite sure what to make of a tree and presents.


We tried to help Emily unwrap her gifts by putting some of the wrapping paper in her hand and turning it. That plan didn’t last long. It was still fun to watch her watch us!

Our day became really good when we were able to skype Andrew’s brother!
We haven’t “seen” him since Mother’s Day so this was his first chance to see Emily. Andrew and I also made pancakes, eggs and sausage for lunch while we chatted.


My brother called around 7pm and it was incredible to hear his voice and see him briefly on Skype. We had some technical difficulties but the video worked long enough for him to see Emily and have him show her his Christmas tie that plays music. It is kinda tough not having my lifelong best friend around, so talking to him was a highlight of the last seven months!

Merry Christmas!