Christmas Day Memories

We got to visit our favorite Nursing Home again with my Dad and Mom as well as Bart's parents. Our Pastor has made it a point to have each of us sharing Christmas morning with those who are often forgotten. Bart thought he was coming down with a cold and stayed home: ( Kira was shy here and there but most of the time- she graciously loved on her new friends. Kids are such a joy to have at the nursing home! We walked up and down the halls singing carols and visiting along the way. This building is the "new" version of the Columbine East, where I used to work. I love bumping into old staff and wish Kira and I stopped in more often. The Saunders have great voices and are always so willing to share Christmas with these folks too. Maybe some of you will consider making a new tradition to visit a local Nursing Home over the Holidays. If you have a special pet they are often welcome if they are leashed and up to date with their shots: )

Afterwards we had brunch at our house and Bart's sister and family joined us. We had a nice day visiting and Kira opened up presents throughout the day. Christmas gatherings were just beginning as the rest of Bart's family arrives on the 26th.

Christmas approaches

I loved having some time off this year... Daycare families were so generous to me. It has been a very hard year in ways many could never understand, time to just focus on my family was priceless.

It was awesome to see Kira taking in our church service and enjoying all the love of family and friends. Kira often talks of "helping people" and is understanding more and more about Jesus helping our world. Some of our favorite books are from the Ellison Family published by Moody Press... Read Aloud Bible Stories- the text and photos help bring Jesus to life as we read. MANY years ago I read these same books to Kathleen and Spencer. If you were to ask them now... I bet they still can remember reading through those same stories back in the preschool years! We make sure to bring them along when I teach in the 2 Year Old room on Sundays.

Christmas Eve we had some relatives over for our traditional soup dinner. This year we didn't watch the Nativity story as a large group but Kira has watched this ADULT film 6 or 7 times now. She has such intent facial expressions. She talks of the angels, "Mary and Elizabeths' babies in their tummies," the Wisemen following the star, and ofcourse sings Away in a Manger after Jesus is born.

DO notice the Diet Coke Santa requested... maybe milk at your house but he likes some variety. Kira had helped her self to two of the three cookies, setting them back on the plate half eaten... Santa must have been hungry just the same!