Chestnuts Roasting

Although we don't have an open fire, nor do we have Jack Frost nipping at our noses (yet), our home is full of Christmas warmth and boughs of holly, fa la la la. In all seriousness, Bobby and I spent last Thursday evening picking out our first Christmas tree and decorating our home. As the Charlie Brown's Christmas soundtrack played softly in the background, we both sailed through our modest collection of ornaments we collected during our engagement last Christmas. Bobby did the easy parts like unwrapping the tree from the netting, sawing off the end, setting it up in the stand, filling the pot with some outrageous Christmas Tree concoction, stringing the lights, etc, while I had to do the hard job of actually putting the ornaments on! ;o)
While unwrapping all of our Christmas things, we were delighted to find that most of the Christmas things we own are pieces from both of our families. Hand-knit stockings hang from our "faux-mantle,"a tradition my Grandmother started for my family. To carry on the tradition, my sister April has taken up the task and presented Bobby with his stocking right before our wedding. We also have a "vintage" Advent Calender, found by my sister Jen. My parents have an identical calender, made by my Aunt in Chicago. A large amount of our Christmas ornaments were hand made and crafted by members of Bobby's family, Aunt Suze, Zachary Jones, and Mom Barrick. A wonderful symbol of two families joining together.
We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas. Today at church, the band started singing classic Christmas Carols. For some reason, I am very emotional at Christmas time, thinking of how a precious baby came in to this world to live, only to die an imminent death. How selfish we are this time of year, always expecting what we want, making sure we beat that super-mom into the store to get "it" first, zooming into the closest parking space while cutting someone else off. I find myself guilty of those things, but I'm always brought back to reality when I think about how unselfish God was to send us his only son. Not just a child of many, his ONLY child. Our pastor explained that gifts are often most appreciated when the recipient understands the thought and sacrifice behind the gift. So it should be with God this Christmas. I pray that you are thankful in your heart for the most spectacular gift you could ever receive - eternal life through Jesus Christ in the form of a new born baby.
For those of you who are unable to visit us or have not yet, here are some pictures of our home all decorated for Christmas!

Our Advent Calender made by Aunt Jane Nevins in Chicago

Killian likes to sniff things and eat glitter. Luck him, because right here, he's doing both!

My boys hard at work.

Our Apartment!!