Posts tagged with "christmas"
They use one of his old burp cloths as a dish rag.
They keep her Barbies packed in the same cooler so she knows exactly where to find them when she visits.
Sometimes we find two trees when we arrive. Other times, just one.
Maybe lighted garland is strung around the door frames, maybe not.
Either way, love floods out the door as soon as we open it...covering us in comfort and joy.
This year was one of my favorites...if not my favorite...and it's not even finished.
I have no idea what's made it so special.
Maybe it was helping Ruby feed and diaper Clara and Rose (Ruby's new Baby Alive dolls). Or maybe it was watching Burke fly to the moon in his 5' long cardboard color-your-own rocketship.
It could have been watching Burke sing "Getchie Getchie Goo" into his new Perry Karaoke or looking through the pictures Ruby has taken with her very own pink camera.
It might have been finding and placing the 1,000th piece of the puzzle at 2:00 a.m. on Christmas morning with Mike and Kevin. Or laughing hysterically about The Game of Things.
Hugging my mom or smiling at my brother across the lunch table. Loving on my children or kissing my husband. Laughter at a movie or a game of Farkle.
All of these things were wonderful...
But I think the most wonderful part of this Christmas was reading about Joseph with Ruby and getting overwhelmed by his faith, and lighting my candle and singing about that very holy, silent night, and singing with my husband and an old friend about a precious child. It was the way Christ and His Love permeated nearly every moment of this holiday for me.
I saw Him in my children's joy and my mother's love. I felt Him in my father's hug and my husband's kiss. I heard Him in my brother's laughter and my sister's giggles.
This Christmas, I thought of the Christ child more than ever before, and the deep, abiding joy I found certainly made this the most wonderful time of the year.
I hope you've had a wonderful Christmas, as well. What was your favorite part?
Yesterday I wrote a long post about how much I love and appreciate Lindsay, and somehow I lost it in the saving process. As such, I dont have much to say on our anniversary other than I love me wife with all of my heart, and she inspires me every day to follow closer to Christ.
I did want to recap our holiday shenanigans real quick for historical purposes. The Christmas festivities began on December 23rd, with the Burke family at our house. We had dinner at Cracker Barrel (with Pop in tow since he had met with Kyle for some loan paperwork). That night we opened presents, and Ruby and Burke thoroughly enjoyed themselves:
After the kids went to bed, we played a new game called "Quelf" and then headed to bed. The following morning (Christmas Eve) we had brunch at IHOP and got the house ready for the Goodwin family to arrive. We had an all-apetizer dinner per my suggestion, and I think that it was a success. The kids got some cookies ready for Santa and were off to bed:
The next morning (Christmas Day) we opened gifts with everyone, and got to watch Jordan propose to Megan (see Lindsay's earlier post).
Lindsay also made a wonderful breakfast for everyone, which we got to enjoy on our new-ish dining room table with snow all over over deck:
Later on we went to Indianapolis to visit the Goodwins more and Terre Haute to visit the Burkes more. Last night we rang in the new year here at home, and tonight we got to go to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate our 6th anniversary. Tomorrow we hope to watch the Colts make it to the playoffs. Then on Tuesday I'm back to work. It's been a great vacation and time with our families. We love them all very much, and it's been nice to have quality time with them.
I know you're reading this. Tonight, my heart is heavy for you. I don't know who you are, and I don't know what you're going through. But I know it's hard. I know that you're struggling. I know that you feel broken. I know that I am supposed to be praying for you right now. And I am. As I sit here and pray for you, not by name, but by spirit, I also know that I am supposed to tell you this:
Come and Adore. Come, praise the King.
If your heart is broken, come and adore.
Lay out all the pieces, put them right there on the floor.
If your mind is troubled, come and adore.
Peace, Rest, and Comfort is standing at the door.
Come and adore. Come and Adore. Come and Adore.
Then stand. Stand and sing. Sing your praise to the King.
I know your heart is broken, and I know your mind is troubled. I also know there is a God whose love is so strong for you that he is willing to reach out to you by whatever means are necessary...even a random blog post written by a random friend (or complete stranger.) Please, know that you are loved. Know that I am praying for you tonight. For you. I can feel the hurt, and I can feel the pain, and I know you feel alone. But you're not. I'm standing right here with you. I'm praying and praising on your behalf.
Love is here for the taking. God only asks that you allow him to come inside the door. He'll fix the broken pieces lying on the floor.
Come, adore Jesus Christ. Let him heal you, comfort you, and bring you rest. Then stand. Stand and sing praises to the God who loves you more than anyone else ever has or ever will.
I'm praying for you tonight. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.
1-5About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
6-7While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. (Luke 2:4-7, The Message)
I wonder if Jesus' birth was expected. I wonder if he was full-term or if he was premature. When Mary started to feel those twinges in her stomach, did she panic? Did she look around and think, "Here? Now? God! It's crazy here. All these people. One of the busiest times of the year!" And then, when they couldn't find a room... "God, this is your son. Please, could you help us find a place for the night? I'm scared, God. I've never done this before. In this barn? Really? I'll trust you, but this is just so unexpected."
And Joseph, what was going through his mind? "God! Help me take care of her! I love her, God, and this looks painful. Help me find a place for her. What should I do next? Does she need water? Or should I hold her hand? God, are you there? I've never done this before, God! Help me!"
8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. (Luke 2:8-14, The Message)
But out in the fields, the angels knew exactly what to do. It must not have snuck up on God, because he dispatched a host of angels to sing in the fields, proclaiming the birth of his first-born (and only-born) Son! What was he thinking that night? How did his heart feel?
This morning, I stood in a warm, comfortable sanctuary. I joined a host of angels, and I sang praise and glory to the God who sent his son.
"You paint the night.
You count the stars and you call them by name.
The skies proclaim: God, You reign!"
Oh, how those words must have been so real that night. I'd imagine the sky was a magnificent proclamation, as the shepherds looked up that night.
"You hold my life.
You know my heart and you call me by name.
I live to say, 'God, You reign!'"
It's another Christmas, and another friend has lost an infant in a premature death. I sing these words, and my heart screams out to God, "God, help me take care of her! I love her, God, and this is painful! What should I do next? God, are you there? God, help me!"
"Hallelujah, Hallelu!"
The words roll off my tongue as the drummer switches into a military snare beat...the type of drums I'd expect to hear as a group of men head off to fight for something...the type of drums I imagine in funeral processions.
And each beat pierces my heart.
I am here. Sing praise.
"Hallelujah, Hallelu!"
I know how it feels to lose a child. Sing praise.
"Hallelujah, Hallelu!"
I see her. I knew this was coming. Sing praise.
"Hallelujah, Hallelu!"
The day he was born is the day he was sentenced to death. Sing praise.
"Hallelujah, Hallelu!"
The day he was born is the day I waged war and proclaimed victory over sin and death. Sing praise.
"Hallelujah, Hallelu!"
No matter what the circumstances look like...sing praise. Whether you're giving birth in a dirty barn or witnessing the searing pain of a friend...sing praise. I'm helping you learn, sweet child. Follow the angels' lead. In all things, sing praise.
"Halleluja, Hallelu!"
"Your glory shines.
You teach the sun when to bring a new day.
Creation sings, God, you reign!
God, you reign!
God, you reign!
Forever and ever, God, you reign!"
B&J - The sun will shine again. A new day is coming. He holds your life. He knows your heart, and He calls you by name. My prayer is that he is so close to you that you can't escape his love right now. I am so sorry for the darkness. I love you.
God - You reign. Forever and ever, I will sing, "Hallelujah! Hallelu!" Thank you for waging war and sacrificing your son for us. You are worthy, ever worthy, of all my praise.
Here are two more videos from Christmas morning:
Ruby got a kitchen from Santa
She also got some books from Mommy and Daddy. It was a great time with just our family, the start of a new tradition!
Here are some more videos of our family on Christmas Eve. We're really enjoying our new little video camera.
So, the last few weeks were very busy for us. We spent the weekend before Christmas in Indianapolis with my family. We played Super Bowl Monopoly and went downtown to look at the lights on Saturday night. I had the interesting experience of standing between two amatuer jugglers throwing "knives" around me on the circle downtown. Then on Sunday we watched the Sunnyside Road Christmas cantata, in which Mom and Dad were singers. That evening we opened gifts with the family, had a good lasagna dinner (thanks Mom) and played Sequence. On Monday morning we had breakfast at Nana and Papa's and got to meet Brad's new dog, Peanut. For pictures from this first part of the holiday, go here:
http://www.not2us.net/photos/2007/december/christmasgoodwins
On Monday afternoon we headed to Terre Haute. That night we went to the First Southern Christmas Eve service. Kyle and Kim arrived late that night. On Christmas monring Ruby woke up very early (6 AM). Lindsay and I had her open her three books with just the three of us before everyone woke up. Once the other were up, we ate breakfast then opened presents. Later that day, many guests came over to their house for a Chstimas lunch. That night we watched "National Treasure" at the movie theater. It was actually a pretty good movie. For pictures from this part of the holiday go here:
http://www.not2us.net/photos/2007/december/christmasburkes
We spent a few more days in Terre Haute. For more pictures, go here:
http://www.not2us.net/photos/2007/december/postchristmas
On Friday morning, Ruby left Terre Haute with Grandma and Grandpa to go visit Gigi and Pop in Indianapolis. That evening we went to the rehearsal for Adam and Jessica's wedding in Terre Haute. Then we went to Olive Garden as part of our third anniversary celebration. That night we stayed in the new Hilton in Terre Haute. It wasn't as nice as we had hoped, but it was okay. On Saturday we sang three songs at the wedding then headed to Indianapolis to pick up our little girl. We ate at Don Pablo's with the family then headed back home.
On Monday night we celebrated the new year with our small group and some others with dinner at Don Pablo's. We rang in the new year as a couple in our own house while Ruby was asleep...nothing much. That also marked our third anniversary as a married couple. Things are a little stressful with us right now and we've had more care-free times, but we still love each other more than ever. I hope that this year will find us happy, content and blessed.
All in all, we had a good holiday season with our families!
We had a great time in Terre Haute and Indianapolis with both our families. Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what we did:
best Christmas CD ever…just Chris Rice playing Christmas songs on his piano in his own living room. We listen to it through the whole holiday season. It never gets old! We even pop it in during the summer some times.
Do you like us? Well? Do ya? Do ya?
Forever Families Rock!
Love Mercy
Random Photo
