My Christmas 6

1. I'm thankful that all three Christmas Eve services at church went well. I've never actually been to a Christmas Eve service before. Amazing, huh? Growing up, we went on Christmas Day. I liked that Aleah sat in the service with me. Thankfully, Bruce had a class to go to. It would have disastrous if he had been in the service with me. The service was really nice, but the only thing I missed? I would have liked to have more carols and congregational singing. I think 1 hour just isn't long enough for a service like that. :)

2. I'm thankful for sleeping in on Christmas Day. Thankfully, the kiddos didn't wake us up until 7:30 and we actually went to bed at a decent time. (No staying up til 2am this year to wrap the presents.) Once we had festivities done, I popped the turkey in the oven and started getting ready for dinner.

3. I'm thankful that Scott's parents came over for dinner. They had unexpected company for 5 days with Jeff & Sara's power out. So, I'm glad that we were able to serve them Christmas dinner.

4. I'm thankful our kiddos LOVE to play games. Aleah received Monopoly Jr. and Bruce Jenga. Before bed on Christmas Day, we played a game of Monopoly Jr. It was really fun and it lasted just long enough that the kiddos didn't get bored with it. Can't wait for the Jenga game. :)

5. I'm thankful for our time with my family, yesterday. Things changed a little this year. Since Scott and Mom had to work on Christmas Eve, we did our festivities on the 26th. We started about 2:30 with presents. Aleah and Bruce made out like bandits. It was very fun complete with the exchange of Victoria's Secret boxes/bags between Scott and Caleb. That tradition started 8 years ago, I think. After presents, we ate dinner. The traditional cold meat sandwiches with all the trimmings and sweets for dessert after the singing and reading of the Christmas story. Unfortunately, our extended family from Warsaw couldn't make it. Since it was going to be so warm, the fog was sure to come. And come it did. I'm sorry we didn't see them, but thankful that everyone stayed safe.

6. I'm thankful for the work that Dad does putting together the Christmas story for our reading. I'll include the references, and let you look them up. He always starts at the beginning:
John 1:1-12
Genesis 3:1-15
Genesis 12:1-3
2 Samuel 7:11-14
Isaiah 7:10-14
Isaiah 9:2-7
Micah 5:1-5
Matthew 1:1-17
Luke 1:26-38
Matthew 1:18-25
Luke 2:1-20
Matthew 2:1-23
Galatians 4:1-7
Amazingly enough, I was struck this year how many evil kings were in Jesus' lineage through Joseph. I think it is such a wondrous story how the man to save the world, came through a lineage of such evil and good men. I'm thankful that He came as a baby to ultimately save us all, no matter what our lineage.

My 5 on my anniversary!

1. I'm thankful for 10 wonderful years of marriage to my soulmate.

2. I'm thankful for 2 wonderful children and one on the way that God has blessed us with in these 10 years.

3. I'm thankful the weather didn't keep us from our little get-a-way and for safety on our way here. (Yes, I'm blogging from the hotel room. Thank goodness for in-room wireless internet.)

4. I'm thankful for parents who live nearby who graciously have our kiddos for the weekend.

5. I'm thankful for the wonderful report that we got at the ultrasound on Monday. Only one baby, and it looks like a little girl. Aleah is so happy and Bruce doesn't have an opinion. Our opinion as parents? We're thankful she is healthy, and now we have to find and agree on a girl name. Wish us luck!!!

My 5

1.  I'm thankful that Scott had a chance to be with Bruce for his "I am Special" open house.  This is a time when the kiddos at the preschool invite a special person for some fun.  Bruce was so proud to take his Daddy.

2.  I'm thankful that the kiddos are doing well in AWANA, even when I forget to help them with their lessons and memory verses until the day before or day of.  

3.  I'm thankful that Aleah had a chance to be with my mom today.  Normally, she doesn't get to go because I pick her up from school after I pick up Bruce from my mom's house.  Since she had no school today (teacher inservice day) she was able to enjoy oatmeal at Gramma's.  She was the one who requested oatmeal at Gramma's.

4.  I'm thankful I was able to join my mom and the kiddos for lunch at Burger King after work.  Even more glad that the kiddos earned back the treat of going out to eat.  They didn't obey Gramma at the first store.  :)

5.  I'm thankful that I was available this afternoon to take care of my cousin's son for a few hours so she could get her Christmas shopping done.  He's been a very good boy and a great playmate for my kiddos.  All three of them just love to get together.  :)

I missed Friday, so it is SIX!

1.  We had a wonderful dinner at Biaggi's with other missionary church people.  It was nice to sit with my parents and Bill & Ronnette Armstrong.  We had great conversation.  Dessert was especially nice when the electricity went out and we ate it by candlelight.

2.  Tuesday night we had the annual Christmas dinner with my Grandpa.  His nursing home provides the meat, potatoes, and bread.  Then all the relatives of the residents take sides, salads, and desserts.  It is always a nice time together as family.  Unfortunately, Grandpa can't think of our names on cue.  If he doesn't have to think, then he will say the name.  By the end of the evening, I don't think he remembered who we were.  Hopefully, he knew we were there because we love him.

3.  At Bible study on Wednesday morning, there was a couple who came and spoke about finances in  marriage.  It was all stuff that I had heard in the Crown Bible study before, but it lit a fire to make sure that I communicate with Scott about the checkbook, bills, and money stuff.  So, we had a short date Wednesday night with the budget.  I think he was a little nervous about it.  But things are okay, and we are praising the Lord for his continued guidance and provision.

4.  Friday night, Scott worked sound for a concert at our church.  Thankfully, my parents kept the kiddos and I was able to attend also.  In fact Scott's parents were also able to attend.  It was a really nice Christmas concert by Steve & Maria Gardner and they praised Scott for all his help in setting up and for his great attitude in doing what needed to be done.  Way to go, Babe!

5.  Today, I went to my mom's for Christmas baking/cooking/dipping.  We baked about 12 batches of snowball cookies/Mexican wedding cakes/Russian tea cakes (which ever you prefer to call them), cooked 3 batches of fudge, and dipped 15 pounds of buckeyes.  We (my SIL, Lisa was there, too) started about 10 am and finished about 4 pm.  This year, we even had some time to relax, have a snack and water before heading for home.  We are all very tired but made great memories!!!!

6.  Aleah did great at musical practice this morning.  She didn't really want to go, since she knew we were doing the cookies.  But she got to Mom's in time for lunch, played with Bruce, then helped with the snowball cookies when Bruce went down for a rest.  Bruce did excellent playing by himself, which hasn't happened too often in his life since his sissy has always been there to entertain him.  Thankfully, Grampa was around to play basketball with a plastic ball and trash can, then on to Chutes 'n' Ladders.  A great day was had by all!