It was fun to reminisce with the kids about last year at Christmas when we went back to the States and surprised everyone. Little Caden was only 3, but he remembers hiding in the box and jumping out to surprise Mamaw Betty It’s also hard to believe it’s already been a year! How time flies! Those will be forever fond memories for the kids I know.

This year Christmas didn’t really feel too much like Christmas really. The weather was warmer (it sure is freezing now though!) and Christmas isn’t really celebrated here. . . not to mention being away from family we love Plus, we seem to be passing around sicknesses which is exhausting. We still managed to celebrate and host 2 Christmas parties, then I was also able to do a Christmas lesson with my classes at the kids’ school. I didn’t get pictures of both parties – it’s hard to host and take pictures!! It was fun to sing Christmas songs, act of the Story, give gifts, decorate cookies, and be with friends though!

For D and I, Christmas isn’t about the gifts. . . it’s about The Gift. My biggest desire is to teach/pass that on to our kids – it’s giving not getting, because the Father gave His Son. We celebrate Him. So, when I’m missing family and it doesn’t feel like Christmas, I can always redirect my focus and be thankful for that Gift!