Celebrating Christmas

It has been a wild, wonderful, and whimsical past few days.

Christmas was such a joy with the kids and with our extended families.

Our children were spoiled, they were happy, and it is our hope that they also understood that all of the fanfare was for one very important reason…the birth of our Savior.

My camera was in hand as we played in the snow, opened presents, and gathered with family. I hope you enjoy these precious memories as much as I do:)

Time for food and treats!

Don’t forget some cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer!

Exactly how does he fit down here?

A family tradition…reading The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve of course. The copy we have is from my childhood

We also read a Christmas book that Matt had as a child! Brady held it close until it was time:)

Cousins Evan and Ryan were there to help share the excitement of Christmas Eve.

Santa arrived as all the kids were snug in the beds.

Christmas morning arrived, and so did some very excited children into the living room!

The girls were thrilled to find a doll house waiting for them!

And the boys found a pirate chest filled with all-things-pirate!

Grandma Sandy, Grandpa, and Great Grandma Vera were with us to share in all the joy that Christmas morning brings with 4 kids under 4:)

After brunch and a little nap, it was time to head to my mom’s house for more Christmas fun!

There was more exchanging of gifts and a little bit of Christmas chaos as the eight grandchildren tore into their new toys:)

It was two Christmases ago that we received news that something was seriously wrong with Brady. On December 23, 2008 we were told that Brady had Cerebral Palsy and that is why he wasn’t walking at age 20 months. We were truly heartbroken that Christmas, grieving over the loss of so much of what we had hoped for our child. Of course it was only a month later that we would learn that our pit was about to become much deeper and darker still.

That was our Christmas two years ago. The two Christmases we have lived since have been in stark contrast to that difficult time in our lives. I say all of this to maybe inspire hope to someone that may not feel joyful this Christmas season. What is supposed to be a happy season of celebration, is often a painful and lonely time for those who are hurting.

I hope that our story, one of faith and hope, can encourage you this Christmas season. To think of how far God has brought Brady and all of us in the span of just two Christmases just humbles me. We celebrate Jesus’ birth each year with joy in our hearts that replaces the despair we once felt.

May that same joy be yours this Christmas.