Christmas Eve, 2013
This was our tree Christmas Eve; today it looks like it’s been strip-searched. Still, I’ll leave it up for a few more days just to enjoy the lights.
Christmas has come and gone and, boy, did it go fast. What I’ll treasure includes:
1. Looks. The look on our Grandson’s face when we FINALLY got through to the Santa Tracker hotline Christmas Eve and he could ask the question he’d waited to ask, “Um, when exactly is Santa going to be in Michigan?” And their answer, “Well Santa has just crossed the international date line from the Arctic circle and is entering into Canada now, which you know borders the United States; our trackers estimate {{sounds of calculators, blips and bells}} him to arrive in Michigan in.. approximately 200 minutes.” The speed with which he launched himself to bed was incredible!
the grands readying for bed; Christmas Eve, 2013
2. Being together. The boys, me and Hubbs, sitting by the fire and laughing but suddenly hearing small feet padding across the living room above and here came wee MJ, teary-eyed, “But Nana, we forgot to put out the Milk & cookies and Santa is going to be so very hungry after that long trip..” And so we got cookies deployed and milk poured and off she went to fall asleep in my bed with the biggest smile on her face.
3. Snow. Big, fat, fluffy snowflakes swirling down from above. All my peeps tucked into the nest and here came Christmas snow. Magical.
Christmas snow 🙂
4. Sounds. Hearing snores from her brother across the hall, I slipped into bed next to a wee one who woke and whispered, “Nana, I love you.” And as her small hand grabbed mine I smiled and cried in the dark, thanking my lucky stars that these little people know, really know, how much they’re loved.
5. Morning. Waking up to an eyeball and a giggle, a million questions and exclamations of, “He came! Pops (on the couch) wake up! Santa came! Look at our stockings! He ate the cookies! The milk is gone!” and racing through the house to wake everyone up and share the news.
Hand-made blankies from Nana
To celebrate Jesus’ birthday with one big party and hearing: “Can I open this next?” “Thank you Uncle H for the gifts” “This one’s from me!” “Nana this is so much fun” “Thank you Daddy, I love you so much” “Thank you Pops” and lastly, “we miss Frankie, too.”
Presents and presents and presents
Mini-Mousing it
I think Frankie and others were with us; see the Orbs up the stairs?
A big breakfast together, a bit of time to play and then came time for clothes & boots, jackets zipped and off to Mommy’s for round two. A big winter’s nap for the rest of us and what lingered .. was love.
My two Hooligans lurking in the kitchen .. waiting for French Toast and sausage, bacon and eggs, ham and juice and … and … and
“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”
― Angela Schwindt
Care to share your Random 5 from Christmas 2013?
Just perfect!
It was. I could not ask for more 🙂
MJ
This post was so full of love and blessings. Sweet!
Thank you; that’s how the whole time with them, was. The only time the 2 boys got yelled at was when they were flying my grandson’s remote control helicopter through the kitchen as I was cooking breakfast. That’s pretty good, considering the 2 of them can fill a doorway and then some 🙂
MJ
Can’t help but think with the snowy cold outside — what a blessing–everyone together under one warm roof.
Yes – and especially with many people near us still without power! We felt very cozy and lucky, indeed!
MJ
All so very sweet, MJ, but your #4 left ME teary-eyed too!
Sounds like the perfect Christmas….and SNOW!!!
I tear up just thinking of her dimpled little hand in mine, Dianna.
If I could have that Christmas every year I’d take it 🙂 Bests to you! MJ
Love this MJ,,great you had a blessed Christmas .rini
we sure did; thanks for visiting and hello to you in London 🙂
MJ
Your blog should have a “loved it” button.
R
Aww, thanks RR. It was a very special Christmas, indeed. MJ
Wonderful post MJ.
Thank you, David. I’m still feeling warm and cozy from it 🙂
MJ
It looks like you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! Wishing you the best!
we really did, Leah. Wishing you all the best, too 🙂 Happy New year!
MJ
I love it MJ…what a perfectly beautiful night:) The love from Christmas will last all year long as each day and every night, your grands and your boys will remember the special night of Christmas Eve at your house with the beautiful snow…the joy and laughter of a happy family…and the love that was felt all around:) I can feel it too! God Bless You MJ….Love You For Sharing:)
Glad you could “feel it,” too HRCG. I’m still smiling at the happy memories 🙂
Happy New Year to you!
MJ
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Oh, this brings tears to my eyes. How blessed you are! And you don’t take it for granted for one minute. Your joy and love came pouring out through your words here. What wonderful memories you’ve created.
It just couldn’t have been better; such a long, hard year in so many ways. So many losses, so much to get through for our boys – but to have us all together and well and the added bonus of the wee ones, well I could have just stopped time and kept us all there, in that moment 🙂 Happy New Year to you! MJ
I’m glad to see you’re doing Random 5 Fridays now. We’ve been away, but I should be back in the blogging swing of things this week. It’s nice to sit in the afterglow of Christmas and enjoy the lights on the tree. We didn’t even put ours up this year. How sweet to wake up with the grandchildren on Christmas morning.
It’s been a fun diversion! And the tree’s still up .. just didn’t feel like mustering up the energy to take it down … ahh! Bests for the new year 🙂 MJ