Delightful

Christmas Day 2008 was delightful.

The hour and a half of coffee sipping, journaling and reading the Word was a key to its success. By the time the kids began to appear I was ready and smiling. The candles were lit, the Christmas playlist crooning, the tree and other decor alight, the sun was streaming in, and mom and dad were finished with their respective quiet hours. A very good start.

Highlights include:

• hub reading the Christmas story out of Matthew
• sharing an oplatki for the first time - a new tradition
• leisurely present opening - stretched out before and after breakfast, for over two hours.
• staying in our jammies all day
• six of us enjoying one another's company, and the traditions we share
• appreciative children
• my bald hub donning a visor that came complete with a head of hair - the hit gift of the day
• a family game of Apples to Apples
• Guitar Hero Rock Band - complete with dad on the bass and mom singing lead... all six of us rocking together
• Scrabble with the oldest after dinner - he and mom's favorite game
• the movie "Christmas Vacation" (currently being enjoyed while mom blogs and reads)
• four deer trotting through the yard
• Grandpa's visit for the traditional Chinese take out dinner
• guitar and carols
• the fireplace aglow (still a treat having waited 23 years to move to a home with a fireplace)
• reading a book on knitting - inspiration to create - relaxed perusal
• the youngest entertaining us with odd facts from his new Guinness Records 2009 book
• fresh hot coffee throughout the day
• a rousing game of Kerplunk with our 19 year old and her boyfriend

We've had a picture perfect day, which is a minor miracle to a mom of four - aging from 13 to 21. It makes all the preparation worthwhile and rewarding.

Happy Birthday Jesus. Thank you for inviting us to your eternal party.