A Beautiful Christmas Morning

                                                             
Many of you know I have been struggling with how to make Christmas less about toys and more about Christ and family and generosity. Today was our Christmas.  We decided to celebrate early.   I think Michael and I did a good job balancing our values and beliefs with tradition this year.  We emphasized the reason for Christmas by making a birthday cake, reading the nativity story, doing crafts, and acting out the story of Christ's birth.  We also allowed Clark to ask questions about Santa and do some Santa stuff without compromising.  We will reevaluate for next year, but today was a beautiful Christmas morning.

In the morning, the boys woke up super early filled with excitement.  They enjoyed their three gifts from us and one from Santa!  Then we had a yummy breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls and jalapeno sausage rolls (I tried to copy Max's Doughnuts from Allen, TX).

The huge bouncy horse was a last minute surprise for all of us.  Last night, we got the horse for free!!  They loved the horse and the garage sale gifts more than their other store bought gifts"!  That is a good thing since we try to be thrifty. 

 

Here the boys are digging in their stocking to find flashlights and airplanes!

The Christmas Miracle

 Michael and I usually don't do gifts for each other at Christmas.  If we do, it's something to replace something broken.  This year, I got sneaky and surprised him.  I put back some extra money I made from babysitting and bought him a Wii!!!  He's been wanting one for years denying the indulgence.  I think I saw tears in his eyes as he opened his present.  It was priceless to see my husband so happy!!!  (His love language is gifts btw.) 

 Our boys enjoyed the day in pajamas and sharing all their new treasures.  They were angels and even shared with our babysitting friend all day!

Christmas was simple, relaxed, fun, and meaningful.  Just the way it was supposed to be.