The house is quiet this morning, after almost a week of fun, family, and relaxation. From Thursday to Sunday, all four of our kids (two by birth and two by marriage) were with us for the first multi-day stretch ever. When they left after lunch on Sunday and a 24 hour infusion of extended family, we were all still on good terms with one another. Therefore, the weekend can be considered a success.
But by my count it was more than successful. In fact, compiling the complete list of Christmas blessings and good memories we experienced would take more time than I have to spare. So here are a few that stand out:
- Planning meals and cooking with the kids.
- Tasting the results of the pizza bake-off on New Year’s Eve.
- Having people volunteer to set the table and clean up after meals.
- Learning to play the board game Carcassonne, thanks to our new son.
- Listening to our daughters talk while one taught the other how to knit.
- Giving the kids hugs at bedtime.
- Hearing about our kids’ dreams for the future.
- Watching our sons play with the pen/laser/flashlight keychains from their Christmas stockings.
- Seeing Hiram’s expression when he pulled cheetah spot patterned duct tape from his stocking.
- Watching my nephew put together a jigsaw puzzle with lightning speed.
- Observing Mom’s pleasure when a story she wrote about her childhood was read aloud.
- Fighting over the squirrel underpants, Twisted Tales from Shakespeare, and travel ping pong during the White Elephant gift exchange.
- Falling asleep to the sound of young voices and happy conversations.
What Christmas blessings stand out for you? What are you grateful for as the new year begins? What’s making you smile today?
