Christmas 2014

Two things about our Christmas year:

1. It was really special and truly magical (How could it not be with FIVE believers in the house, right?!). Plus it was the first time we spent Christmas, just us, in our own house, which was special.

2. The boys and Chris have all been sick for over a week now.

Yes, you read that right, and perhaps you randomly remember that we were also ALL sick with the stomach flu over Thanksgiving. It's as if Thanksgiving 2014 didn't even happen..... We were too busy, ummm puking our guts out.

I thought maybe, just maybe, this meant we'd be immune to whatever was going around and in turn enjoy a healthy Christmas week, but it was not to be. A few days before Christmas the fevers and the coughing started. And I started to feel kind of bummed out. Another holiday with five kids sick!

Then I calmed down and realized that whether we were sick or not, we could still have a wonderful, very special Christmas together (duh!). On the Eve of Christmas Eve, after putting the boys to bed, four of which had fevers, I laid in bed and made a decision that no matter what happened the next day (my favorite day of the year, btw!), I'd just roll with it.

That simple choice made all the difference. On the morning of Christmas Eve, Chris went out and bought fun Christmas pjs for those who didn't feel up to getting dressed. We skipped church, something we'd looked forward to, but had a wonderful time listening to the boys tell the Christmas story together. Chris and I led the discussion by showing them a picture of the Nativity. "I'm pretty sure there were angels there" said Everett.  "And I think that the Shepperd's brought Jesus baba's (our word for bottles)" added Carter. "Wait! Where is BIG Jesus?" asked Finn. Colin, who knew the story most accurately, somehow resisted the urge to correct them constantly, and told the story in a way that really warmed our hearts.

After dinner and decorating cookies, we cranked up the Christmas music and danced in the living room. Colin jumped on the karaoke machine and Carter pounded the piano. It was loud, it was chaotic, it was pure Joy.

We didn't get any Christmas cards sent out this year. But from our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! (and a healthy one too!!)

I plan on posting more Christmas pictures in the coming days, but first I need to help my little men kick this cough.