Every year our Christmas has a different feel. This year we spent Christmas morning with just the 4 of us and it was oh so sweet. I loved watching Christmas experienced through Gress. We talked about why we celebrate Christmas and although I am not sure his 4 year old brain can quite grasp the real meaning of all of that, I know on his level he gets it. I am looking forward to the day he really does get it and Christmas can really be more about that moment in time. This year, the kid in him loved opening the gifts and playing with all of his new things. And sweet Mcree loved the bows, the ripped paper and the little things that had nothing to do with gifts. As I sit here looking around at all of the decorations that will soon be tucked away for the year, I really want next year to be more about Jesus and celebrating His birth and Him in our lives during that time. Isn’t that what Christmas is really about?
Soon after Christmas, we drove to Birmingham to see family. We got the chance to hang out with Rad’s family and got to see Kaye and Maggie before Maggie was on a 4 month tour with the Shrek Musical. We loved hanging out with Grandmommie and PawPaw and Uncle Gee and Aunt Bonnie. I loved the shared meals, quality puzzle time, great conversations, and ping pong tournaments. And I loved watching Gress and Mcree get loved on by his Grandparents and cousins. We also got extra time with sweet Katie after Maggie left and Gress and Katie were like brother and sister at times. While driving to see old friends while we were there, Katie and Gress were having conversations in the backseat and she said to Gress, “Gress, you don’t have to tell me, I know everything?” And Gress said, “well I know everything about the Bible. I know about baby Jesus being born in Bethlehem, and about the shepherds and the wise men, and about David and the big guy, and about the King that wanted the young boys killed, I know everything.” It was pretty funny to be an observer of all of that!
It had been too long since we had been to Birmingham. And even longer (4 years) since we have seen the Hutto Family. Brent Hutto is a long time friend of Rad’s and we love being around their great kids. What an amazing family and the girls were so very sweet to our kids while we sat for 2+ hours at Crackel Barrel catching up.
On on our way back to Savannah, we had a quick stop off to love on sweet Layla. Mcree just giggles at her and Gress just wants to cuddle with her.
Our hearts our full this Christmas. We are so grateful for this last year and what God has taught us. We are excited to see how God uses us this next year to glorify Him.
Here’s wishing you a moment of reflection to see how you have grown this last year and smiling with anticipation about what the next year holds.
