{Christmas Morning}

Well, Mama ended up at the doctor's office on Christmas Eve with what I'm pretty sure is the first diagnosis of strep throat in nearly 30 years.  I was positive that I had the flu so thankful that some meds could help me get well faster...or so I thought.  Daddy braved the previously scheduled Christmas festivities with the kids...but Christmas morning was still just as perfect as ever.  The boys were up first...as usual...and ready to receive their gold, frankincense and myrrh...but only after our annual reading of the Christmas Story in bed.  Sissy joined the fun a couple of hours later. {Girlfriend loves her sleep!}
The kids receive so many gifts from extended family that we really make an effort at home to keep it simple and focus on the true meaning of Christmas.  So, they share with us weeks in advance their one truly desired item...their "gold"...and the rest is up to mom and dad.  Frankincense is something that will deepen their faith {Bub received a new devotional with Aslan and Bear his first real Bible for early readers since he's learning to read this year} and myrrh is an item of clothing {both the boys received new hunting jackets and were really excited}.  We also have a lot of fun with the stockings.  Sissy has just about everything she could ever want or need....so she received a vintage rockinghorse that I literally found on the side of the road and re-finished completely, a new bedtime Bible and some clothes {her favorite being the Frozen pajamas, of course}.   Thankful for another Christmas ....and for the three amazing children I get to adore this side of Heaven who truly make this bittersweet season joyful.