It was a quiet Christmas Eve at home....just the two of us....while Daddy worked....you played in your playroom, colored, watched cartoons, napped, called Yiayia for her birthday and ventured to Kroger with Mommy...played with your kitten...and dressed to go have dinner with Daddy's family at Nanny Pat's house....
As we were preparing to leave for Nanny Pat's, I took a few minutes and stuffed two stockings full of little trinkets that I collected for you throughout the year----and a few last minute sale items for Daddy. I placed the stuffed stockings by your gifts around the little Christmas tree that we moved in by the fireplace earlier this morning.
When we arrived home, you were prancing through the house with your new luggage from Nanny Pat. You took a detour to the stocking when you passed through the living room (your little eyes don't miss anything)...."Mommy, who filled these stockings!?! Did Caroline do it!?!" My first reaction was to say wait but you said, "Mommy, there's glitter make-up in there!" And your excitement......contagious!! Thus, I grabbed the camera and gave you permission to unearth what was packed inside.......markers, panties, gum, M&Ms, Skittles, toy cars, lipstick, eye make-up, silly putty, perfume, lotion, barrettes.....you were delighted with each. You touched each item as the wheels in your little head were turning. You pounced on me like a little kitten with a great big hug of thanks...and kisses. You were priceless! All of Mommy's little efforts while couponing paid off....for each little trinket was tucked away after mini runs to the store for coupon deals!?!
Daddy had help emptying his stocking too---gum, gum, gum, gum, Motrin, a lighter....a few last minute items that I picked up as I remembered your age and how you'd also enjoy our gifts as much as your own (especially after seeing how you presented Daddy his gifts for his birthday). "Mommy, what about your stocking! Why doesn't it have items in it?" Oh.How.I.Love.You....maybe next year, I'll give you a Ziploc bag to fill with items you make and want to put in my stocking...and then on Christmas Eve my stocking will be full too...I think I'd love my stocking full as much as you loved yours, little one. Everything we share...everything we do must be intentional in our lives. It's my promise to you---to be intentional but sometimes in life's busyness, it's in the unexpected moments of joy that I find the greatest blessings---those you teach me.
There was one red envelope that Daddy let me open today (my stocking surprise)---you helped me open it before settling back on the couch for a few cartoons with your new make-up on! You snacked on milk, a banana, and Santa's cookies. Daddy mentioned us forgetting Santa's cookies but we had them ready!! You ran to the kitchen after them and pulled off the plastic wrap. You set them by the fireplace until you decided you need one, two, three......and we had to set out Recess Peanut Butter Cups for Santa once his plate was empty! Daddy said it's not the same as cookies but we agreed that it was.......a little reindeer food was sprinkled outside by you with Daddy monitoring....a little glass of milk and we were off to bed.
You tossed and turned and talked about cookies eaten....and hugs and kisses galore were covering Mommy as you continued to beam with excitement about all of your stocking stuffer gifts....you talked about being excited about opening ALL of your gifts tomorrow...you said, "Mommy, you know what we forgot today!?! My journal....we forgot to write in my journal!" I mentioned that I cleaned off the entire kitchen table for us to work on writing in your journal today but that you were always busy doing other things. You said, "You should of called me, Mommy!" I loved that...I love that you love to write in your journal. Intentional. I love to write. Writing with you is something I'm intentional about....well, most days. But we write often and I do want to keep that on our intentional list.
What was your favorite part of our day!?! My question...as I pulled you close for one more little hug and kiss. "Being with you, Mommy! Being with you on Christmas Eve!" I love you little one. Sometime tonight I read Proverbs 31 Ministries Message, "Jesus, no matter how busy life gets or how lonely I feel this Christmas, I want to unwrap the gift of Your presence. Help me see You, hear Your voice speak to my heart, and pay attention when You lead me with Your peace and perspective. I long for Your purpose in all of my plans." Reading this took away the loneliness I was feeling as did hearing about your favorite part of your day. Although the stuff of life fills us up with happiness for a moment or two...whether they are stocking stuffers or...there's nothing like the presence of Jesus in our lives----His peace and perspective reminding us of our purpose in life. Being your mother is so full of purpose......
As your little eyes finally closed and your body fell into a Christmas Eve slumber......
Santa visited our house. "Mommy, I don't hear anything!" you commented as we whispered in bed as you tossed about....as we sang, "Up on the rooftop, reindeer pause....." "Mommy, you didn't sing out jumped good ole Santa Claus down through the chimney with lots of toys!?!" I guess, I missed that phrase so we sang it again....you didn't want to leave out with lots of toys!?! But he just left a couple inside by the fireplace....
And as the fireplace roars with heat and I'm finishing up my warm cup of coffee there's a Daddy-elf busy outside. He was left instructions by Santa to........
Actually, Mommy didn't even know either.
Sometimes the best surprises are those revealed last minute....
.....and as I continue to struggle with the commercialism of Christmas at my age, I pray tonight that you'll always know Jesus and that He'll comfort you through your storms and be your Prince of Peace, Your Wonderful Counselor.........
This Christmas Eve....
Oh.Silent.Night.
"God is with Us"
I love you little one! You light up my life!
As we were preparing to leave for Nanny Pat's, I took a few minutes and stuffed two stockings full of little trinkets that I collected for you throughout the year----and a few last minute sale items for Daddy. I placed the stuffed stockings by your gifts around the little Christmas tree that we moved in by the fireplace earlier this morning.
When we arrived home, you were prancing through the house with your new luggage from Nanny Pat. You took a detour to the stocking when you passed through the living room (your little eyes don't miss anything)...."Mommy, who filled these stockings!?! Did Caroline do it!?!" My first reaction was to say wait but you said, "Mommy, there's glitter make-up in there!" And your excitement......contagious!! Thus, I grabbed the camera and gave you permission to unearth what was packed inside.......markers, panties, gum, M&Ms, Skittles, toy cars, lipstick, eye make-up, silly putty, perfume, lotion, barrettes.....you were delighted with each. You touched each item as the wheels in your little head were turning. You pounced on me like a little kitten with a great big hug of thanks...and kisses. You were priceless! All of Mommy's little efforts while couponing paid off....for each little trinket was tucked away after mini runs to the store for coupon deals!?!
Daddy had help emptying his stocking too---gum, gum, gum, gum, Motrin, a lighter....a few last minute items that I picked up as I remembered your age and how you'd also enjoy our gifts as much as your own (especially after seeing how you presented Daddy his gifts for his birthday). "Mommy, what about your stocking! Why doesn't it have items in it?" Oh.How.I.Love.You....maybe next year, I'll give you a Ziploc bag to fill with items you make and want to put in my stocking...and then on Christmas Eve my stocking will be full too...I think I'd love my stocking full as much as you loved yours, little one. Everything we share...everything we do must be intentional in our lives. It's my promise to you---to be intentional but sometimes in life's busyness, it's in the unexpected moments of joy that I find the greatest blessings---those you teach me.
There was one red envelope that Daddy let me open today (my stocking surprise)---you helped me open it before settling back on the couch for a few cartoons with your new make-up on! You snacked on milk, a banana, and Santa's cookies. Daddy mentioned us forgetting Santa's cookies but we had them ready!! You ran to the kitchen after them and pulled off the plastic wrap. You set them by the fireplace until you decided you need one, two, three......and we had to set out Recess Peanut Butter Cups for Santa once his plate was empty! Daddy said it's not the same as cookies but we agreed that it was.......a little reindeer food was sprinkled outside by you with Daddy monitoring....a little glass of milk and we were off to bed.
What was your favorite part of our day!?! My question...as I pulled you close for one more little hug and kiss. "Being with you, Mommy! Being with you on Christmas Eve!" I love you little one. Sometime tonight I read Proverbs 31 Ministries Message, "Jesus, no matter how busy life gets or how lonely I feel this Christmas, I want to unwrap the gift of Your presence. Help me see You, hear Your voice speak to my heart, and pay attention when You lead me with Your peace and perspective. I long for Your purpose in all of my plans." Reading this took away the loneliness I was feeling as did hearing about your favorite part of your day. Although the stuff of life fills us up with happiness for a moment or two...whether they are stocking stuffers or...there's nothing like the presence of Jesus in our lives----His peace and perspective reminding us of our purpose in life. Being your mother is so full of purpose......
As your little eyes finally closed and your body fell into a Christmas Eve slumber......
Santa visited our house. "Mommy, I don't hear anything!" you commented as we whispered in bed as you tossed about....as we sang, "Up on the rooftop, reindeer pause....." "Mommy, you didn't sing out jumped good ole Santa Claus down through the chimney with lots of toys!?!" I guess, I missed that phrase so we sang it again....you didn't want to leave out with lots of toys!?! But he just left a couple inside by the fireplace....
And as the fireplace roars with heat and I'm finishing up my warm cup of coffee there's a Daddy-elf busy outside. He was left instructions by Santa to........
Actually, Mommy didn't even know either.
Sometimes the best surprises are those revealed last minute....
.....and as I continue to struggle with the commercialism of Christmas at my age, I pray tonight that you'll always know Jesus and that He'll comfort you through your storms and be your Prince of Peace, Your Wonderful Counselor.........
This Christmas Eve....
Oh.Silent.Night.
"God is with Us"
I love you little one! You light up my life!
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