Storeyland Update II

Christmas 2008

Well, here we are in the second week of January and I am still talking about Christmas 2008! My apologies to those who are thinking enough already, however there are some friends and family members that live far away from us that are still waiting to hear about Christmas Day in Storeyland :) As stated in a previous post, I came down with pneumonia combined with the business of the season...I just haven't had much time to sit and type. For the sake of our loved ones that still live in the woods and have dial up....I am trying not to put as many pictures on as they take forever to load. Instead, I have opted to make a collage of Christmas Day.

Christmas Day is a joyous yet LOUD day in our home. With 5 children exclaiming their awe over each gift they receive their excitement sometimes reaches levels that pierces your very ear drum and causes it to ring in protest. Despite our efforts to keep them calm, cool and quiet it just isn't going to happen on Christmas Day. LOL Thank the Lord, it doesn't last all day. This year, Reuben woke up at 5am wanting to open his presents. Lacking sleep and not feeling well at all, I pleaded with him to go back to bed and try to get some rest. Thank goodness he understood and obliged. He must have drifted back to sleep because the next child woke us up at 7am. Knowing that attempting more rest was futile, I arose and woke the rest of the children up. I wish you could have heard their joyous laughter as they saw what Santa had left for them while they were seeing visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads!!!

Santa left webkins, Ds Games, Portable DVD's, MP3's, Hat & Mitten sets, etc.....etc... He also filled their socks with tons of Candy, card games and tiny trinkets. It was touching seeing how happy they were for each other at what the other had received. After the excitement died down some, Daddy read the Christmas story to them. It is important to us that Santa does not overshadow the true meaning of Christmas. With all the commercialism at Christmas time, we try our best to stress to the children that Jesus is the reason for the Season and that giving is part of celebrating his birth. Since God sent his only son as a baby in a manger long ago so that he would one day fulfil his destiny and die on an old wooden cross for our sins, we are to give of ourselves to others. Our time, talent, money and anything that we can all for the glory of God. We stressed to the children how God choose to bless us this Christmas through a 'secret santa' (see previous post) and that we in turn should bless others. During our prayer, I could hear our oldest two thanking God and asking him to help them to be a blessing to others. Even as I write this post, tears well in my eyes at their sincerity. We had a blessed Christmas and for that we will be eternally grateful. The children were so appreciative of the gifts they received and were tickled pink that they got that 'one special item' on their lists. That one toy they wanted 'more than anything in the world' :)

After the presents were opened, we loaded the children in the van for our 2 hour drive to Nan and Pup's (my husband's parents) The children were so happy to have the portable DVD players and were exited to watch the new movie from Uncle Miles and Aunt Dawn. What a peaceful drive! Normally, they would be arguing or complaining but this time they had something to captivate their attention. In our house, it is rare that any of our children sit for a 2 hour movie. They would rather play than watch TV. I am thankful for that however, while traveling they had no choice. They were buckled in and actually watched a movie from start to finish LOL

During the afternoon on Christmas Day, our in laws lost power so Nan had to cook Christmas dinner for 25+ people on an old fashioned wood cook stove. It took her all day. We arrived around 4pm and she was still cooking dinner. I have to say, it was the BEST Christmas dinner we ever had. Nan, you are the best cook ever and there is no other word to describe Christmas dinner but phenomenal!! WOW!! It was heartwarming and nostalgic sitting around the table with the family in the warm glow of a kerosene lamp. It truly seemed like an old fashioned Christmas and created a special memory that will last a lifetime. I love Conrad's family and I am so thankful I have them in my life. They have treated me well and his parents are like a second Mom and Dad to me. They are very special people and it's an honor to be a part of their family.

We did get a chance to visit Conrad's grandmother who turned 90 this past summer. She looks great and is in good health. The children sang for her and told her some funny stories. We visited other family members over the holidays and had some company ourselves. To our family and friends...thank you for being a part of our lives. May God richly bless you in this new year!