musings of a christmas elf

I LOVE Christmas.  I love everything about it.  I love decorating and buying gifts for people.  I love all of the family events that occur around the time of Christmas; this years events were gingerbread men at the Gaylord Hotel, driving to look at lights, crafting, baking, and going to see Santa.  However, my favorite day is actually Christmas Eve.  I love how quiet it is since we've finished buying, wrapping, decorating, and baking.  I love the focus on Jesus.  I LOVE Christmas Eve service.

My first Christmas Eve service memories were my friend Brent singing "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" year after year.  I still think of him as I hear that song. As we got older, my youth group friends and I would always sit in the balcony and exchange gifts and would wait until midnight to say "Merry Christmas."  After B. and were in high school, we would go to his service at 7, then go to our friend Pam's house for a party and then on to my church at 11.  I don't remember many of the services though I do remember one particular service at B's church where it was silent prayer after each bible verse.  We prayed silently for sooo long that Brandon's mom leaned over and said, "I have cancer and i"m praying for my hangnail."  It was a sign of a service too long. hehe

Since moving to our home, our Christmas Eve services haven't been the same.  One year we went to the late service and got there 30 minutes early like you have to do at our home churches and we were practically alone and in the front row.  It just wasn't the same with out all of the family and friends.  After A. was born we tried the family service and got there on time.  We sat outside of the sanctuary where people had to keep going in front of us to get to the bathroom... 30ish times.  We couldn't hear anything and we didn't know any of the kids... we didn't get any closer to God from that service.

This year, was a whole new experience.  A. was in the service this year.  She was a shepherd.  According to her, there were too many girls that wanted to be angels and there weren't enough wings.  So, she got a pink shepherd shirt. She wanted to know her name.  I tried to find some names int he bible though surprisingly, I couldn't really find any, even Joseph's brothers weren't named.  Anyway, I finally just settled on some random biblical names that she didn't know.  She was Typhus.

 She was an adorable Typhus.

She was a scared to death, I don't want to wear my head piece, Typhus.  

Then, she turned into a I'm so comfortable up here, I'm going to sit down and take off my shoes Typhus. 

I was a proud mama, tearing up at the "Happy Birthday Jesus song,  that was thanking the Lord for putting us in this church. 

Only in America

We went to go see Santa a few days ago.  Not only did we go see him, but we went to Bass Pro Shops at the closest outlet mall.  Now, are you picturing the type of people that were also vising such a fine establishment?

We got there at about 4:57.  3 minutes before Santa was taking his hour long break for dinner.  We were told that we had to wait until he got back.  But, the family behind us that happened to be large and rather scary looking that were ALL wearing their Ravens jerseys did make the cut.  Apparently, one of them worked there...

We were left with 1 hour to kill before A. could climb on Santa's lap.  A. and B. had a blast.  Here are a few of their great adventures...

there just are no words for this picture

 K. and I quietly obliged them.

About 5:40, I left all of the fun to go stand in line again.  This time, the line was about 15 people deep.  It wasn't too bad but I'm glad the kids weren't standing with me.  Here are my observations...

1. A lady standing in front of me on facebook the ENTIRE time as her daughter proceeded to pull the entire display of camouflage onsies off of the shelf.

2. A shelf full of antifreeze surrounding the play area so that when A. came up she immediately ran over to the pretty pink liquid and tried to open it.

3. A woman that brought 2 different dresses for her child to wear.  I guess, she was going to force her child up there 2 times.  Said child proceeded to run around and cry the entire time and her mother was literally chasing her down the women's clothing aisle.  I don't think that she got her into either of the dresses as she missed her turn.

4. 3 teenagers who went to sit on his lap. They all wanted Kinects.

Now, on to the good...
1. A little boy who write his letter to Santa that said something like, "I want my family to get what they want and be happy."


2. My sweet little girl that was so brave that she walked right up to Santa and sat down.  She asked for Charlie Brown "night nights" and for her brother to have a good day.

Here is A. dropping her letter to Santa in the box. 

 Merry Christmas!!!