Forever Young: Merry Christmas!

This morning, I carefully slipped out of bed, making sure I didn't disturb Kellah as she slept so peacefully on top of my legs. Her Christmas present to me was sleeping from midnight to 6 am, and then going back to sleep when I brought her into bed with us...still sleeping soundly when I slipped out from under her at 8!

Evidently, Coralyn and Kellah talked it over, because Coralyn fell asleep within minutes of going to bed last night, all snuggled up in her blanket and pillows, and didn't make a peep until after 8:30 this morning!

And so, I got to start the coffee, put the egg casserole and cranberry muffins in the oven to bake, and even sit down with a hot cup of coffee to journal by the lights of the Christmas tree before anyone was up to start the Christmas festivities. Now that is what I call a once-in-a-lifetime gift!

As I sat and wrote, I thought about how we were "supposed" to be in our new house today. I "could" have been sitting by the fireplace, looking out a huge window into our backyard below. I "could" have been using a new oven to make our Christmas brunch. Earlier this week, I "could" have used that same oven to bake Christmas cookies and breads to deliver to our new neighbors. When it snowed, we "could" have gone sledding down the fairly steep hill by the house.

Last night, when the girls opened their stockings after the Christmas Eve Service, we "could" have done that by the fireplace.

In order to get Coralyn to wear her actual Christmas dress, I had to promise her she could wear this other one when we got home from the Christmas Eve Service and opened their stockings.

Multitasking: playing the harmonica and bouncing the slinky

Kellah taking a turn with the slinky

And then, this morning, they "could" have woken up and come down the stairs, excited to find their presents under the tree.

Lots of "could have been's."

Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda....but DIDN'T.

At least that's how the saying goes.

Instead of focusing on all that "could have been," God reminded me to set my eyes on Him and remember all that He HAS done for us already, even without moving into a new house, no matter how badly we wanted that to happen.

Instead of wishing for what "could have been," God challenged me to be thankful for all that IS.

As I turned my attention to the may blessings I have already, Coralyn woke up and walked into the living room. She might be the only child who cried this morning when she was told, "Breakfast isn't ready yet, so let's open presents first."

Just as she calmed down and was assured that she would indeed eat this morning, Lawrence and Kellah peeked their heads around the corner. We chased them back into the bedroom and tickled them on the bed to wish them a Merry Christmas.

Then, we made our way to the tree to open presents. Our family tradition is for the girls to each get three presents, to remember how the wise men gave Jesus the three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We got them something practical, a clothing item, and then a toy or "fun" gift.

Coralyn's fun item: a Rapunzel dress, as she is very into princesses right now

Kellah's clothing item: a ruffly, frilly orange dress to wear for her one year pictures

Coralyn's clothing item: a sparkly silver dress to wear for sister pictures

The girls' practical items: fleece blankets I made them, to go with the decor they will have in their new rooms

Kellah's fun item: a truck with two balls that make noise, as she is very into balls right now

After the presents were opened, we ate brunch -- cheesy egg casserole with green peppers and deer sausage, gluten free cranberry muffins, yogurt, and orange juice.

Then, with our tummies full, we headed back into the living room to set up a play castle Coralyn got last year for Christmas, that way she could pretend to be Rapunzel in her new dress. With a little love and duct tape, Lawrence put the castle together, and the girls were happily playing together -- bringing all their new toys into the castle, peaking their heads out the windows, and crawling through the tunnel Coralyn made out of an empty box.

We're still in the living room, soaking up this precious time together as a family. We don't really have any other plans for the day.

We already celebrated Christmas with Lawrence's family this past weekend...

The three red-headed cousins

...and won't be traveling to see my parents until this coming weekend.

The day is just beginning and already my heart is full of joy as I realize how blessed we are!

Coralyn wanted to see if Kellah would fit in the stocking like she did last year.
Kellah may be small, but she didn't fit but up to her knees :)

I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful day too as you enjoy the time with your family and celebrate the birth of Jesus. For that, by far, is the best gift we have all been given! Like I read this morning in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (not me, as my mother-in-law questioned when Lawrence's sister gave her the devotional book in her stocking this year):

As you wait attentively in My presence, the Light of the knowledge of My Glory shines upon you. This radiant knowledge transcends all understanding. It transforms every fiber of your being: renewing your mind, cleansing your heart, invigorating your body. Open yourself fully to My Presence; be awed by My glorious Being.

Try to imagine what I gave up when I came into your world as a baby. I set aside My Glory, so that I could identify with mankind. I accepted the limitations of infancy under the most appalling conditions -- a filthy stable. That was a dark night for Me, even though angels lit up the sky proclaiming "Glory!" to awe-struck shepherds.

When you sit quietly with Me, the process I went through is reversed in your experience. As you identify with Me, heaven's vistas open up before you -- granting you glimpses of My Glory.

I became poor so that you might become rich.

Sing hallelujahs to My holy Name!

Now that is definitely a gift worth singing about! Even if you are like me and can't stay on pitch to save your life! Or you're like Coralyn and just "learning" to play the harmonica! :)

Merry Christmas from the Youngs!!!!