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.