Tonight or early morning as I now look at the clock and see it is after midnight, I am surrounded by gifts in my office. Auntie Lori flew into Bismarck on Tuesday. My siblings and parents arrived today. And they all came bearing gifts! Gma Nola, Gpa Sonny and Uncle Jim stayed home at the farm. We will miss them greatly. But the cattle need Jim to feed them, especially during the blizzard we have coming. It will be the first Christmas my mother has ever spent away from her parents and away from the farm. We have many long-standing family traditions that are certainly being interrupted this year as my family ventured out to try something new and spend a year at our home. A few things will stay the same though even in a new location…like our Christmas Eve meal. Yes Grandma I bought a little lutefisk and will make it for tradition.
Miss E spent three nights at the farm with out us and came home when my parents arrived. She missed us but thorougly enjoyed her time visiting and playing at the farm. Our house was VERY quiet with out her and we are thrilled to have her home with all of us again. As soon as she was home, E was dashing to “hold Ahdeka (Anika)” and jumped into Hunter’s arms. Now she is waiting for Santa Claus to come down the chimney. I heard a rumor he might show up at our house. And he might just come right now that chimney.
We have a house full of big eaters and with the weather reports predicting big snowfall coming, I keep going to the grocery store. We should be able to eat for days and days now and only venture out to go snowmobiling and hopefully make it to church on Christmas Eve. Guess what Kirsti, Anika, Mike, Joe, Hunter and Robbie are all watching in the above picture? Veggie Tales Christmas. They pretended it was for Miss E but they looked to be intently watching themselves.
Earlier this week, we held a holiday open house at the lumberyard. Coffee, cider, cookies, door prizes and plenty of attention for Anika. She was the star of the show.
Even the very old Larry the Lumberyard Cat enjoyed the party.
Tonight as I was rocking Elizabeth before bed we were having a chat about Christmas and that it is for Jesus’ birthday. She said “Where is Jesus?” Hmm…at first I said in heaven. Then I said in “your heart”. I was not prepared for a proper two year old answer. But it got me to thinking that even if a young child does not completely grasp what Christmas is all about that what I truly want for our children to experience from Christmas is LOVE. Then as our children age I hope they feel and understand the depth of God’s love and then spread that love onto family, friends, people in need in their community and throughout the world. Even on the prairie, in the middle of no where, with 16-20 inches of predicted snow coming our way, we are sure to have a Christmas full of love this year.
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