This wasn't the Christmas I had planned on. In fact, I had really lowered my expectations, because I knew the Captain would be out flying. Dad's health had definitely been on my mind and I really hoped he could be back home for Christmas. Mostly though, I wanted the girls to have a wonderful Christmas despite all that.
Along comes what is being dubbed the Blizzard of 2009 and that pretty much seemed to snow in or sweep away the rest of our meager plans. Christmas Eve Candlelight services at our church were cancelled - always one of my favorite Christmas traditions, and a long day spent with my parents didn't seem too practical in light of all the snow that kept falling and falling and falling.
Instead, we had our own Christmas Eve service in front of our fireplace. Each girl got to pick out a song to perform. Marissa played "The Little Drummer Boy" on her viola. Maren chose "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and we read a story about a boy stranded at an airport (appropriate, yes?) along with the Christmas story. Then we sang "Silent Night" and passed around the candlelight. The girls loved it. Maren thinks we should do this every Christmas. I agree.
Dad got home on Wednesday, about a half hour before the snow started falling. He sat down in his chair with a big sigh and a look of contentment on his face. There's no place like home and it was good to see him back there again. Good to see him with a little smile on his face, watching all the craziness his grandchildren are so eager to provide.
I have really enjoyed the down time with the girls. They have played so well together and it has been fun to actually spend some quality time with them. Played a little, OK, ALOT of Wii, played in the snow, ate too much, and laughed ourselves senseless as we watched Harry frantically try to find the tiniest patch of grass in which to relieve himself. Does not take much to entertain us.
So all in all, it has been a good Christmas in many unexpected ways. It has been relaxed and unhurried and this all due to circumstances beyond our control and our frantic planning. It was better than expected. I find that God does that a lot in my life. He is always better than I expect. Merry Christmas to you!
3 comments:
I love your Christmas Eve service! Perfect! So glad your dad made it home, too. This snow really gave us time to slow down and appreciate the family-it doesn't get much better than that! Blessings to you all!
We had a blizzard here in Oklahoma too; we just don't know better than to go out in them. You Iowans are much wiser than us okies. Photographic proof to be blogged soon. But ours turned out to be a wonderful Christmas, as it sounds like yours was. Unexpected, but Good. Many blessings, anne
Seems you just posted what Christmas is all about. I look forward to creating a Christmas eve service for our family next year. Thanks for sharing !
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