Nativity

There are lots of nativities out in the world and blog land these days. I love me a nativity set. I love that it is something tangible that represents the birth of a Savior. I know a lot of people that have multiple nativities. But I am the owner of only one. Not a fancy shmancy nativity, but one that is just precious to me and holds a special place in my heart. It was given to me by my dear friend, LaRue Skaggs, Christmas 2003, when we left the first church where Ryan was on staff in Texas.



It is a teeny, tiny little set with an angel, baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, four wisemen, and three animals. I just love it! It has been through several moves as well as a four year old boy, so it has seen better days. But look on the bright side for these particular stable animals, since they no longer have their ears, they don't have to hear baby Jesus crying...




Mary, specifically, was on my heart a lot through the Christmas holiday. I spent a lot of time thinking about the birth of Jesus from her point of view and where her heart must have been through all of the unknowns. I guess because it was on my mind a lot, it got transfered on to the kids. We talked as the days of Christmas got closer about Mary and what she would be doing right now. We had a lot of these conversations, "it's getting close", "they are traveling now to Bethlehem", "the baby Jesus is almost here".

I want my kids to know that these aren't just stories but real people that lived before us. A real Savior that was born in a stable to a virgin named Mary and an earthly father named Joseph... But you just never know if the things you're saying stick with them or go in one ear and out the other.

Well, I think my boy got it. The day before Christmas Eve, he was playing with the baby Jesus in the nativity set, and he looks up at me and says, "Mommy, the baby Jesus is almost to Bethland." That's right buddy! He is almost there. It won't be long now.

Granddaddy

The Monday after Christmas, we headed to West TN with my parents to see my granddaddy. I have written before about my Granddaddy and MamaKate. This past October marks a year since MamaKate left us. It is still hard for me to wrap my mind around. Needless to say, this past year has been beyond hard for Granddaddy. He lost his partner and best friend, and after 70 years of marriage, you don't get over that. He is the last one left of 8 siblings, and the days are long and lonely for him. I have heard him say more than a few times that he is ready for "the good Lord to take him home." And as much as it hurts my heart to think of him not being with us, I understand, and pray God's timing for him too.

Ryan and I went together to see them not long after we first got married, but Ryan has not been back since. And I have taken the kids a few times as well. I wanted the chance to take the kids again after Christmas and bring the photog along to capture some moments with him.







As far as I'm concerned my Granddaddy is the sweetest man on the face of the earth. A man of honesty and integrity that would literally give you the shirt off of his back; and a killer sense of humor to boot.

We got to spend a couple of days with him eating, talking, laughing, playing, eating, laughing, and then eating some more. Oh, how he loves to eat. He finishes one meal and starts asking what else there is to eat. Oh to have that metabolism! It was a wonderful time, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

They built the house that he lives in the year I was born. He built it with one of his brothers and paid cash for it as he went. So, that is where I grew up going every summer and Christmas. I have sweet memories of that house and that farm. When we pulled out of the driveway to leave, I couldn't stop the tears. Going there brings up so much nostalgia and memories for me. It is both comforting and heartbreaking all at the same time. Comforting because, besides MamaKate not being there, it is as it's always been. Heartbreaking because I know as timeless as they and that house have seemed, it will not always be the same.

I love my Grandaddy and the impact he has had on my life. I love that my children have gotten to spend time with him and create memories of him that they will take with them their whole lives, just as I do. I am grateful that he knows Jesus and when "the good Lord does take him home", I know I will see him again. But for now, we love on him every chance we get and are thankful for each visit we get to have with him.

Christmas with the Grandparents

Since Ryan's parents are out of state, they sent there gifts to the kids before Christmas. All of them were wrapped, put under the tree and were opened on Christmas morning. We got to skype with them on Christmas day, so they could see their purchases, and their grandchildren, in action.

And we even got in a game of Scattegories with them over skype. And guess who kicked some Scattegorie booty?! Considering having all competitions over skype from here on out.

My parents braved the winter wonderland and drove over from East TN the day after Christmas for dinner and the opening festivities. We ate and then got to the matter at hand.

Here is Papa with the calendar that we gave them.









And if we could just have a moment of silence for the following two "gifts". Lord, help us!

Tradition #6

Christmas Morning.

Growing up we always read the Christmas story before we opened gifts as a family. Ryan and I started doing this together our very first Christmas that we were married, and have continued to do it every year. I remember as a kid thinking that Luke 2 had to be the longest chapter of the Bible and my Dad the slowest reader of all mankind. Could we not just get to the presents already. And, watching my kids as their Dad reads, I can't help but wonder if they are having those same thoughts. But as an adult, I love it and never tire of hearing those verses.

This year for the first time in my life that I can remember, we woke up to an actual, real deal, white stuff on the ground, White Christmas! What a treat! I sat there with my kids, in a warm house with a our tree and gifts, snow on the ground, breakfast in the oven, and Ryan reading Luke 2. My my heart was so full. Overflowing with gratitude. A moment I wanted to stand still. God has been so good to us. We are truly blessed.

Tradition #5

Lets just be honest, we live in an excessive society where bigger is better and more is never enough. Contentment is a foreign concept. I am not sure when Christmas became so much about the getting and buying and spending and over spending some more, but it hurts my heart. I want better for myself. I want better for my children.

Now, don't misunderstand. My children still get gifts from their grandparents and aunt and uncles, and all in all, get way more than any two children need. That being said, we started a new policy for ourselves a couple of years ago in regard to the buying and the gifts. Each child now gets from us 'something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read'.

Contentment. God is at work big-time in my mind and heart about this very subject. So as far as this tradition goes, I don't know what future Christmas' will hold for this family, but I hope it is more and more about the heart of Jesus and less and less about the wants of the Alexanders.

Tradition #4

We started this tradition with P for her first Christmas. And I have a sneaking suspicion that she is catching on. How, you ask? Because of a little convo Ryan and I overheard on the afternoon of the Eve of Christmas. It went a little something like this...

P: "We get to open a present tonight, Mason."

M: "Yep, I love pwesents."

P: "We only get to open one though."

M: "Yep, I love opening one pwesent."

P: "And I can bet you that it is a pair of pajamas."

Awesome.

The only rule about new Christmas p.j.'s is that they cannot, under any circumstances, have anything Santaish on them.

Another tradition that is going to be a keeper.

Tradition #3

This is our third year for this tradition. After the Christmas Eve Service at church our friends the Stewarts host a little get-together. And by little, I mean, 14 adults and 18 kids. Oh my gracious, are they some brave peeps. It is always lots of yummy food, laughs, and fun. I am grateful for friends that are like family for us.

I guess the carrying-on of this tradition will depend on the Stews. Stews...?

And who doesn't love a little birthday cake in honor of the baby Jesus' birthday?

Tradition #2

Christmas Eve Service at church.

This is a tradition that Ryan and I both did as kids, and continue as adults...dragging the kids along with us. I love Christmas Eve at church. A time-out from the craziness that comes with the season and an opportunity to refocus.

There is no childcare at church for the Christmas Eve service, so we all get to go to "big church". The little guy can be a bit of a challenge, but then again, what's new.

We take communion, worship, and celebrate our Savior as a family. And, I am not sure if there is much of anything in life I love more.

This tradition is most definitely a keeper.

On our way out the door this year...

Tradition #1

Decorating our Christmas tree.

Last year we decorated our tree the weekend before Thanksgiving. I am not going to lie, somebody in the house was not a big fan of the idea. Ahem, Ryan. But we generally travel to my parents for Thanksgiving, and I really wanted to try putting them up early, so when we get home from our travels, Christmas would be in full effect in our house, all the work of putting it up behind us, and we could just enjoy. So, decorating for Christmas happened at our house before Thanksgiving. Gasp!

And, guess who is now a fan of decorating the house before Thanksgiving. Ahem, Ryan.

Coming home to a house that is already in the Christmas spirit is wonderful! This is year number two of this tradition, and as of now, this tradition will live on.