A Blessed Christmas Tide

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (King James Version)

What a blessed Christmas it has been. After being sick Thursday, Friday and finally feeling better on Saturday, I was so glad that I started all my Christmas preparations early. With the way that Christmas fell this year I had three solid days of church. Sunday was church in the morning, for the 4th Sunday in Advent service. The final day of preparation for the coming of our Lord and Savior. After church I came home to do all my house chores and sitting in my living room were a ton of boxes. I thought Bran had unloaded his work truck to keep some things safe, but NO...he bought me new light for my kitchen and the back yard!!! Oh what an awesome Christmas present and so unexpected!!! SO we hung lights and then went over to Mom and Dad's for a little BBQ.

Monday was Christmas Eve. Brandon spent the morning at my Dad's shop helping with with some electrical issues, oh and he took the dog, so I decided to clean my nasty house! After installing the lights in the kitchen it really needed to be cleaned and moped! so I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. It felt so great to get my house in order after being so sick! Brandon and I both got ready and headed back to my parents house for Christmas Eve dinner...thank you Papa Murphy's! Neither my mom nor myself felt like cook and we had such a big dinner planned for Christmas Day. But after dinner the whole family went to church. Both mom and I sing in the choir, so it was just wonderful to have Dad and Bran there as well. It was a beautiful candlelight service and it helped to remind me once again the true meaning of the season. After service, our The Roche Family came over for a little pie and fun! And then off to bed so that Santa could come!

Christmas Day....well it is still Christmas Day. It has just been the most wonderful first Christmas EVER for Brandon and I! I was up early and back to church to sing in the choir. It was wonderful to have our old Pastor take part in conduction the service this morning. I ADORE our new Pastor, but there is nothing like the old and the familiar! After church I came home and my wonderful husband had cleaned the house after the whirlwind of two little ones over here the night before! We then packed up Ralf and headed to Mom and Dad's to see what Santa had brought us! We had a wonderful day. SO many blessing all in one day. We made Monkey Bread, ate, opened gifts, cooked ate and opened gifts between my brother and Monica and the family. They gave us a Home Depot card...so actually they gave Brandon a Home Depot card so that he can finish moving the water heater so my washing machine can leave the kitchen and move to the garage!! Then to cleaning up the mess of the day and then to load the car and come home and put away all the great stuff we got. I can't even begin to explain how spoiled we are, but thanks to my mom and dad...you spoil us to no end!

So as my day draws to a close, my husband and puppy are sound asleep, I bid you all a Merry, Merry Christmas. May the Birth of Christ light your coming year.