As the holidays grew closer this year, I legitimately struggled with 'what in world are we going to do this month?". Legit struggled. As in asked for prayer for creativity. The Christmas Season is always so much about experiences and relationships...but #2020 and Washington State went on semi lockdown again in mid November, soooo...now what?!
We did the best we could. Got creative and hyped up what could be hyped. New movies, special jammies, zoom calls and nightly Advent Bible stories. It carried us through, and I pray that my kids' hearts are protected for the crazy that surrounds us in our world today (or maybe just the stress that I was feeling?) We talked a lot about Jesus's birthday and we made a special video singing Away in the Manger with our friends at the Adventist church. Singing. We did A LOT of singing this year!
Visit to Watson's to check in on the reindeer:
Tree is up! An attempt to get Christmas portraits...
Matching Jingle Jammies perfect for Christmas Light hunting:
A Zoom call with Santa! This was such a HUGE hit!
Working on their surprise homemade gifts for each other. I'm proud of how they each put thought into how they could use their skills to honor their sibling (big reveal photos on Christmas Day).
Christmas time sillies:
Working our way through a Christmas Traditions Around the World. This year = Australia, Philippines, Ukraine, and Latvia.
It's almost time!
The first gifts of Christmas:
Isaac's homemade gift for Gramma (Mila made a beautiful bird feeder for Gramma)
Mila's homemade gift for Isaac = a new marker box! (Isaac LOVES markers)
Isaac's homemade gift to Mila = a mailbox for all her letters! (Note, no kiss on the cheek in return *wink*)
Mila's special gift this year was by request--her FIRST gift request ever...a baby doll. She was SOOOO happy! "
Oh mommy! My own baby!"
Isaac's special gift was a dress up box! This will keep him happily busy for HOURS!
This was a BIG ah-ha year in the Santa department, especially after our call with him earlier in the month. Mila made special cookies but Isaac was INSISTENT that Santa prefers chips & salsa...*mic drop* my parenting here is done!
Was able to catch a photo above our house just before I went to bed!
Santa knows my kids well!
And so we end Christmas 2020. In the weirdest of years we had a bit of quiet and celebrated our Savior's birthday. Jesus was born in a tumultuous time in history and his presence brought Peace and Hope for all mankind. All week, I found myself humming "a thrill of hope, my weary heart rejoices, Christ is the Lord..." What a perfect gem of Truth to carry into the new year; our Hope, our Praise, our Rejoicing rests in the power of Christ's presence even in the weirdest of years.
Merry Christmas 2020
