Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to Jesus!! This morning we woke up to a white Christmas outside, but before everyone began stirring, I was up making breakfast, taking pictures, lit some candles, brewed a pot of coffee (coffee is wonderful, isn't it?), and placed gifts under the tree. Typically, parents put gifts under the tree days before Christmas, but not me, I stored the wrapped gifts in my garage, one might ask "why"?. Well, if you have little ones, you might know the answer. About 2 years ago, I became frustrated to find gifts unwrapped by Mariah, and then having to rewrap them, so to stop the insanity, I decided they would go in the garage until the morning of Christmas- a simple solution.
After I had some alone time with my coffee, I turned some Christmas music on, by the way, one of my favorite songs is "Mary did you know?", a very touching song to my soul. There are many artists out there singing it, but I particularly enjoy the one sang by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd, take a few minutes to enjoy this one yourself, it is featured on my playlist below.
One by one, the kids came out of their room and the excitement of the morning had them curious and "giddy". You know what happens next, its gift wrap, colored tissue and gifts all over the place. I was in a race for every moment, trying to get as many pictures as I could before the batteries to the camera die, gotta love those right?? I remember looking around and feeling so blessed to be in a cozy warm house with my family, having everything we need. God is Good!
Then it was play time, the kids were wired! We were finishing the steaming process of the tamales and lunch time was right around the corner.
Then it was play time, the kids were wired! We were finishing the steaming process of the tamales and lunch time was right around the corner.
We had a fiesta spread of tamales, rice & beans with Chris's homemade salsa, then for dessert I had prepared a scratch chocolate cake and an ice cream cake, I think it is more of a pie. We wanted to keep it simple for Christmas, unlike Thanksgiving, we did not want too many dishes to prepare. I also made up some goodies as stocking stuffers like, fudge, cookies and popcorn balls. And I could not forget my Mariah, I made her some gluten free cookies and she devoured them!
I like what Chris said as we were bowing our heads while giving thanks for the meal, he said "...until you return for us, we will always remember this day and why we celebrate Your birth...", these words stuck in my head and I am humbled today and thankful to Jesus our Lord because He is the Reason for this Season- Merry Christmas.
I like what Chris said as we were bowing our heads while giving thanks for the meal, he said "...until you return for us, we will always remember this day and why we celebrate Your birth...", these words stuck in my head and I am humbled today and thankful to Jesus our Lord because He is the Reason for this Season- Merry Christmas.
