As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Thursday, January 2, 2020

Memory-Making Moments {Christmas 2019}



There were so many moments to treasure during this Christmas season.

Be forewarned: This is going to be a grab-yourself-a-cuppa kind of post! You won't hurt my feelings if you click away. But I need to document these moments before the time gets away from me, so here goes! 

If you're a regular visitor here at Thinking About Home, you know that there have been some big changes here this year. The holiday season reflected those changes and some things were hard. But there was (there is) much to celebrate and so we collected those sweet and special moments, the gifts from His Hands.





Ron's family Christmas party was a mix of somber and sweet. Our brother-in-law lost his father the week before, and another brother-in-law is having some serious health struggles. But we were thrilled that Ron's 91-year-old mom was able to come to the party! She has declined in health during the past several months, so it was extra special to have her with us. Here she is with her eight children . . . a memory-making moment indeed.

This is a group who loves to sing! I'll share a little sample with you . . .






Ron, Bekah, and I, as well as Kristin, Maddie, and Owen, had the opportunity to sing in our church's Christmas cantata this year. Singing in a choir is my happy place. It had been many years since I had sung in a cantata and, oh boy, did I enjoy it! I have no photos or videos to share with you, but here the three of us are enjoying some down time afterward. 






Since Ryan and Sarah were traveling to her parents' home for Christmas, we gathered with their family a few days before they left.

We shared a meal and some Christmas goodies and a long conversation about a man from our church who died in a car accident in December of 1989. Thirty years ago. Although Ryan was just a small boy, he remembers. Thirty years ago . . . and it was good to reminisce and talk about life and death and what is really important, because that is why He came. He came to redeem us. He came to bring us eternal life. 



We also shared gifts, those tokens of our love for one another. I loved seeing the smiles!




My own face had a big smile. (Papa's did too.) Look at these beautiful handmade gifts, made by the hands of my grandchildren: a quilted throw made by Eve (12), a wood burned sign made by Nora(10), and a wooden spoon whittled by Peter (9). Delightful! 


Aunt Kati had knitted hats for all of Andrew's and her nieces and nephews and for Andrew's young cousins (who are nearly like his nieces and nephews) . . . SIXTEEN hats in all!






It was an evening to treasure!




After our Christmas Eve service . . .


. . . it was home for pizza (is that the easiest Christmas Eve supper?) and the opening of gifts between Ron and me. 



Our new fur-boy's first Christmas toy!





Christmas morning seemed especially quiet without our Kati. But knowing that Andrew and his family were making her first Christmas with them a special occasion was a real comfort. 


So Bekah was the center of attention. Not exactly her cup of tea, but she managed . . . especially when one of her gifts was the promise of a trip to visit Kati! 




The menu for our Christmas breakfast is the same every year,


including these orange rolls made by my mom. Yum!



We were a smaller group this year, missing Kati and Ron's mom. (Ron is the photographer in this one.) 



Around midday, Kristin and Brian and family came to celebrate!


More "Aunt Kati" hats. I think Kati may have knitted her fingers to the bone! But aren't all these babies precious in their hats?



Judah had lots of fun with his!



Judah got a box of board books from Papa and Gran. He unwrapped the tissue from the first one . . . and ran over to big brother Owen! Sooooo cute! (It took him a  l o n g  time to open his package, because someone had to read each one to him.)










A "little" treat from Ryan and family . . .



When my parents returned and my sister arrived, we set up the Christmas buffet, including Bekah's Scarlett O'Hara punch.



There was another memory-making moment during the afternoon, although there is no photo.

I connected the Bluetooth speaker to my phone and we all gathered around for a special announcement from Kati and Andrew! The previous week, they had learned that their baby is a BOY, and now we were to hear the name that they had decided on! It is . . .

CALEB MARK 

and we couldn't be happier! It was exciting to hear that news in the middle of our Christmas celebration!



Our grandson Gavin drew this picture of Gammy and Gampy's cat, Pilgrim! (Don't we have some talented grandchildren?!) 







A decadent dessert finale,


and then our dear ones departed.





With such a late Thanksgiving this year, the Christmas season seemed to fly by and it was all I could do to keep up some days. (I have made a note to have a stern talk with my autumn-loving self next year. I will tell her that it will still be autumn even if she does start thinking about Christmas a little bit ahead. Do you think she will listen?)

But so many sweet memories were made during this season, the Lord was faithful to fill in our empty spaces . . . and we are grateful. 




But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 
Galatians 4:4-7

22 comments:

  1. I'm a newcomer to your blog and I just have to say - I loved every one of the pictures you showed here and all the commentary. What a beautiful family you have. And I teared up a bit to see all the handmade gifts. And the "This bag contains my face" picture is hilarious - even though the model is lovely. Which kind of makes the picture so funny. If she weren't so pretty the saying on the bag wouldn't be quite so funny. Anyway... loved getting a glimpse of your Christmas. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awwww, Becki . . . thanks so much for visiting and for sharing your thoughts and kind words! We all got a kick out of "this bag contains my face"!

      Happy New Year to you and yours! I'll be popping over to your blog later . . .

      Delete
  2. Love all these people who are so precious to you! What a wonderful Christmas you had!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Deanna . . . and we love all of you too!! I love how the Lord knits hearts together . . .

      Delete
  3. Such a lovely blog filled with wonderful pictures and commentary of yourfamily. Especially enjoyed the singing, grandchildren making gifts, Katie's wonderful news,family gathered
    and bless Bekah for making all those hats, truly a labour of love.Truly a blessed Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sally, thank you for rejoicing with us in our blessings! A very Happy New Year to you and yours!

      Delete
  4. When enjoying a beautiful post with so much to comment on, I try to remember the things that stood out in rather than comment on everything, which I am wont to do. The family who sings...loved that! Ron’s mom looks so lovely there in the midst of her four girls and four boys. The hats that Kati made...darling. The cat sketch for your mom...yup, talented grands you have. As different as this year has been, it really was a good Christmas. Your home was full. Oh, I thought that photo of Kristin was particularly lovely. Glad that you got to sing in the cantata. How wonderful the news of a little boy on his way and his name is one of my favorites. Not easy to land on a name when so many good ones in the family have already been taken, Many blessings in the New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can tell my editing went awry. 🙃

      Delete
    2. Vee, you are so sweet to want to linger and chat with me . . . taking your time to share our Christmas and our joys! A blessed New Year to you and yours!!

      P.S. I'm glad you like Caleb's name! You're right . . . the range of choices is getting narrower.

      Delete
  5. Lovely family photos. How fun will it be for Bekah to go visit Kati all by herself! Pretty wrapping paper, especially the music one. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Melissa! Yes, Bekah is very excited about the prospect of visiting Kati!

      I have used that musical gift wrap for Bekah's gifts for several years and I pick up a roll when I see it. But I am down to one roll and I didn't see any this year. We'll see . . .

      Delete
  6. Cheryl, your documentation of family events always make me wish I was more diligent in the record keeping department. I adored hearing you all sing with conviction and love and much talent! The grands are darling in their sweet handmade hats. I love seeing all the handmade gifts that always mean more in my opinion. Congratulations to Kati and Andrew--a son to look forward to and love. What could be more exciting for you and your family? Your Christmas may have been different this year, but it certainly looks wonderful and blessed. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it was a wonderful and blessed Christmas season this year! I thank you for sharing it with us here. I hope you were singing along with "Go Tell It on the Mountain"!

      Indeed, I cannot think of much that would be more exciting than a sweet new grandson to love!

      Happy New Year to you and yours, dear friend!

      Delete
  7. I'm a little posting comment today. It just wanted to say what a handsome young man that oldest grandson has grown I to. Loved the rest of the pics but that one stood out to me. Blessings, Sharon D.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww, Sharon . . . I am happy that you noticed that, because I thought the same thing! Handsome . . . and so "old" looking these days! (Yikes!)

      Delete
  8. Such a beautiful time you all had. Love the family that sings together. Beautiful. It's been ages since we sang a cantata. Our Christmas Eve service this year was a bit on the cantata format. We enjoyed it. A little boy for Kati and Andrew. Good strong name they picked! We are wondering if our Katie and Andrew will move forward in the baby department... Now that's a gift that will keep giving when sisters can come together. So thoughtful. Don't know if I've said it yet but Happy New Year to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Family singing . . . choir singing . . . Christmas music . . . so much to love! We are all excited about the new grandson! In fact, my daughters and I have had a group message running this evening with plans for a baby shower and Bekah's visit to see Kati and so many fun things!

      Ooooo . . . that would be delightful if your Katie and Andrew became parents! New Year blessings to you too!

      Delete
  9. What a wonderful post full of sweet memories to treasure. You have a beautiful family, and some very talented young grandkids (who made the homemade gifts). Looks and sounds like you are a musical family as well (the musical wrapping paper, and listening to you all sing Joy to the World). The hats are precious, and I've never seen such a huge KitKat before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sandra, for dropping by and for all of your kind comments! I've never seen such a huge KitKat either . . . I need to remember to ask my daughter how long that lasted in her family of nine!

      Happy New Year to you and yours!

      Delete
  10. Cheryl, I really like the long cardigan and the beautifully trimmed cardigan you and your sister are wearing. Do you happen to know where they were purchased?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Anna! My long cardigan (I love long!) is from Target and my sister's was purchased at Marshalls.

      Delete
    2. Thanks Cheryl! I looked at Marshalls' website and saw several good options, so I think a visit to the store is in order! Long cardigans are so comfortable and modest, which I appreciate. :)

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...