A Child's View of Christmas Morning...

Last night and this morning, I couldn't help but reminisce about Christmas as a kid. I had such a dreamy look on my face remembering the excitement of looking for Santa's sleigh in the sky and listening for the jingle bells. I remember being so excited for morning to come that I could barely close by eyes to sleep. I remember waking up early the next day with incredible anticipation of what was waiting in the Great Room for us (my sister and me)!

And then, I had to wait some more - I also remembered that we had to wait outside the great room door for my parents and grandparents to get their COFFEE!! Ray C. said, "That's just wrong!" But you see, they were just as excited to give us the gifts as we were to get them. Seeing the joy on our faces was as exciting to them as receiving the gifts was to us!! Side step here, don't you know that's how God feels when He blesses us? He is just as excited (or more) to give us the things we ask for as we are to receive them!

So anyway, where was I? Oh, we were waiting at the door. Did I mention that we also had to brush our hair, make sure our PJ's matched (that was probably done the night before, actually), and be sure our hair was OUT OF OUR EYES?? Big deal to my mama!! You must look pretty for pictures! Thank you mama. The pictures are nice to look at now!

So, when everyone was ready - seated in their places all in the living room, we would hear, "Oh my goodness." and "Look at that." and "Wait til you see what Santa brought." And I especially missed today from my papa, him singing "Santa Clause has come to town!!" Finally, they would say, "Okay! You can come in now!" We would fling the door open and run to our spots. Santa left my gifts to the right of the fireplace and Jessica's to the left. I still remember how some of the things were even laid out.

So today I enjoyed every moment even though I haven't felt great. We opened each present one by one. The kids had so much fun playing . We had to take a break at one point because they were so busy they didn't want to stop to open anymore! We really didn't spend much on them, and still they got so much!! The kids were thankful for their gifts. I got some great gifts, some things I really wanted and some I really needed - like a massage from a local place!! I gave a gift I was so anxious to give - something I built for my husband. That was the best part! I couldn't wait to give it to him. It might not mean much to anyone else, but it was special because it was a labor of love! (I framed 2 HUGE maps he had so he could hang them in his office.) It was a big deal for me to do it since I've never used a saw before!!

I talked to my family and am looking forward to "doing Christmas" with them soon! It was a great day! We did start with Baby Jesus. He was in all the mangers when the children woke up. They were so excited to see him, finally! Mary Frances said, "Baby Jesus looks beautiful in his manger!" I couldn't agree more! Thank you, Jesus!

Mary Frances got slippers from Papa!
Chase got a few bath toys and then took an hour long bath!
Uncle Glen gave Mary Frances what she "always wanted" - Dora Saves the Mermaids!!
(You can see one of the maps in the background!