The Land of Hand

Our family enjoyed many activities during the Christmas Season.  Christmas programs and parties at school, cookie baking for gifts and cookie exchanges, driving to see Christmas lights, riding the Christmas train at Stone Mountain, and spending time with family and friends we had not seen in a while.  Julie’s sister had a baby on Christmas eve and Joshua was very excited about having another boy cousin.

We spent Christmas day in 3 locations.  First at home, where Joshua was excited to receive the “Robot Arm” that he had been asking for.  He also got an electronic mini drum set, a Moon light for his room, and some new items for his wooden train set.  Our next stop was to celebrate with Jason’s family.  Joshua left there with nearly as many toys as he had received at home.  Our final stop was to have a delicious Christmas dinner with some dear friends.  They had a gift for Joshua as well.  I think he was a little disappointed that there was only one.  This year he was well prepared for what Christmas morning would bring.  Last year we had to make him stop playing with one toy to open up the next package.  This year he was tearing through them as fast as he could.  He had to be reminded a few times that not every present was for him.  It was a blessing to witness how much Joshua learned about the real Christmas story this year.  He loved retelling it in his own words, to anyone that would listen.  His facts were pretty straight, except in his version, the shepherds told Herod about the birth of baby Jesus.  We celebrated Christmas with Julie’s family on Jan. 3rd, due to the new baby arriving the night before, and other family members being out of town.

Jason had a full week off to spend with us and we had some great family time at home.  We started the New Year off very simply; a quiet dinner at home with sparkling Cherry Juice, which Joshua decided to call soda pop, and a normal bedtime.  We spent New Year’s day teaching Joshua how to race with his Mom and Dad on the Wii Mario Kart.  We had a blast!!  We are all trying to get back to our normal routine as we prepare to return to work and school after 2 weeks off.  We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas, filled with the peace and love of Christ, and we pray that you will be blessed in 2009!