The Christmas Story

What comes to mind when you hear "The Christmas Story"?  Do you think of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus?  Maybe some shepherds or the wisemen.  Well, tonight, we had the privilege of seeing the Christmas Story starring, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and... the cow.  More specifically, A the cow.  That's right, every other little girl wanted to be an angel but A wanted to be a farm animal.  The reason-the cow got a whole costume and an angel only got part of one.  Makes sense...

This picture was taken during the actual pageant.  Cesar Augustus came up to read the first verse and give the decree that Mary and Joseph should travel to Nazareth.  As he was reading, this little cow came running up the aisle.  Mary and Joseph were unaware that there would be a cow waiting directly adjacent to the manger.  She held her ground with her arms resting on the manger while Mary placed the baby to rest.  She kept her eyes on him throughout the whole show.  Well, except when she temporarily excused herself from the performance to tell B. that he already took enough pictures. Since we were already laughing hysterically that she came up the aisle early, we almost fell out of the pew that she left her perch only to scold her father.

The manger scene, Mary, Jesus, and the Cow.  I think Mary was trying to convince her to step back out of the limelight.  That didn't happen.

Then, the Angels came up to surround the manger.  I think the cow was supposed to step back.  She did not.  In fact, I think she may have thrown a few elbows to maintain her important position.  

Next up, the shepherds.  The angels moved back to make room.  The cow stayed put.  Note:  she did remove her mask because it was, "too hard to see the baby."  We only know this because she mouthed it to B. from the stage.     

Finally, they invited all other children up to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  She did leave her perch  for this.  

 She came to the front to sit with her brother.  she sat with him through the whole song.  She reached down and kissed his little head several times.   

 She hugged him, loved on him, and prayed with him. I have never been more proud.  

Merry Christmas from S, B, K, and the cow....

calm before the storm

Christmas is busy.  I make a conscious effort to be calm and focus on what my pastor called the humble happenings of Christ coming when no one else was around.  It was no big deal, just Mary, Joseph, and some animals.  But, it doesn't work.  We end up running around shopping and baking and visiting.  I feel like we are getting ready for something every single night.  Don't get me wrong, it makes me happy, but it also makes me stressed.

This year is especially CRAZY.  Our moving date is Dec 29.  We first started this process last February so it is a LONG time coming.  But, I think I would have rather had any other week in the year but this one.  We are dividing and conquering.  B. is wrapping while I pack the kids rooms.  B. is taking down curtains while I am coloring Christmas pictures with the kids.

But, on Wednesday, glorious Wednesday, we didn't leave the house.  The kids woke up at 7:00 (super late for them) and then we came down for breakfast.  We didn't get out of our pajamas until 11:00.  K. wanted his binky and lovie so I put him in bed around 11:10 and he hung out in there reading books for over an hour while A. and I made and decorated salt dough ornaments all while listening to Christmas music.  All 3 of us took naps... from 1-4.  No one cried, no one rushed, and all was well.

Today, we start the final rush.  Nan and Pap came today and under our tree is FULL.  Tomorrow I work while the rest of the family will cook and will make Christmas crafts.  Tuesday we will do nothing but play and celebrate and love each other.  Then Wednesday... Wednesday starts the chaos.  We will pack the remainder of our house.  Thursday, B. and I have the final walk through and then we both have to work for awhile before making sure all of our 6 years of clutter is packed away.  Friday we have a wonderful team of people coming to paint and put up lights and blinds.  Then, Saturday the movers come and we head over the bridge.  I'm sad and happy all at the same time.  I'm excited and nervous.  I'm thankful, gracious, and overwhelmed.  Mostly, I"m trying to balance the chaos that is moving with the humble happenings in which I want my family to focus.

Merry Christmas from our REALLY bright tree.  I promise the star doesn't really look like we captured the northern lights and put them in our living room.  My camera is weird.