December Memories in brief:

Jesus was not quite as front and center of our family holidays as I would like.  Rather than wallow in despair over this, I choose to plan better for next year.

I forgot to take pictures on Christmas Day.  Okay, shoot me!  I despaired over it for a bit then thought, "If Mary had had a digital camera, would she have taken pictures of Christ's birth to post on Flickr?"  I think not.  I followed her example and pondered things in my heart.

Jason's such a great husband.  He has always wanted to get me jewelry for Christmas (I guess all those jewelry store commercials get to him).  Unfortunately, I'm not the jewelry type.  So, I asked for a nice, pretty watch for Christmas and made the man happy.  The things that please my husband -- listening to me sing carols and buying me jewelry.  What do I have to complain about?!

Gordon had a truly magical Christmas.  He's at the age of really "getting" Christmas and Santa.  I dread the change in the next couple years.  But I'll cherish the memories.

Teeny was my more spiritually-minded child this Christmas.  She stated, firmly and with conviction, that it was Jesus who was bringing the gifts Christmas Eve.  And she never once wavered from this belief.  Also, she was frequently heard singing, "Holy night, holy night, holy night, holy night, holy night, holy night, holy night. . ."

This was Bud-Jack's first Christmas.  He received some toys and clothes from the grandparents and a homemade lovey made of a tossed-aside teddy bear and an old receiving blanket from me.  He was pleased.

The tree was fake and tackilly clad in both large and small, colored and white lights, tinsel "boa-like" garland, and the ornaments that have, so far, survived small children.  But it was beautiful, and I'm already wishing I hadn't taken it down just yet.

Can't wait till next year.  Planning already.  But it won't take up so much time now, so I should be back to posting more regularly now.