Christmas at Home

What a wonderful Christmas! Chris and I traveled back to the States in early December to attend a wedding in Cancun, and then spend some time with our families in Texas. The wedding was gorgeous, and the weather in Cancun was splendid...90's every day! It was a bit of a shock to our English skin, but we sure have enjoyed our temporary tans! And our visit back to Arlington was great as well. We spent about a day w/ each family (short, but sweet), opened presents, ate yummy food, laughed, hugged, and just enjoyed being back in Texas. My dad and I went to the amazing Ice Exhibit at the Gaylord, & Chris and his dad scoped out the abundance of computer stores in the metroplex :)

When we arrived back in England, it was back to work for both Chris and I....but we didn't let that stop us from having lots of holiday fun!! First, it was off to an "Ugly Sweater Christmas Party" at one of our friends houses. THAT was pretty funny! Then, on Christmas Eve, we got together with our friends Kelly & Jeff for a Mexican Christmas Feast. Hopefully that will be an annual tradition :) On Christmas morning, we slept late and made a scrumptious waffle breakfast before starting in with the presents. We really savored being in our own home this Christmas, as it was our first one together by ourselves. Chris opened his Birthday present first, and I sang Happy Birthday (oh, you should have heard it, it was concert material...heehee). Presents & stockings were next...I LOVE stockings!! Then we cleaned up and headed over to our good friends Wendy & Jason's to see what their little girls got for Christmas. It was so fun to visit w/ them on such a special day, and see how joyful their little ones were. We ate some yummy snacks and then it was back home for Chris's birthday dinner. I made his favorites and then we had brownie sundaes for dessert...mmmm :) The next day Chris got up early (I wasn't feeling well...no it wasn't from my cooking!!) and went to the airport to pick up his Aunt Dianne & Grandmama. Though Chris quickly had to go back to work, I had a great time showing them around East Anglia. We toured Chris's "office", Cambridge, Bury St. Edmunds, Newmarket, & London. We even braved the Harrod's After-Christmas Sale....ummm, THAT was crazy! Chris & I dropped them off in London last night, and stopped by Trafalgar Square to see the enormous, beautifully lit Christmas tree that sits in its center.

It was a great way to end a great Christmas!

The Meaning of Christmas

As many of you know, I am a substitute teacher at a school on base here in England. The kids are always chitter-chattering away, spreading their joy to all who will listen. At this time of year especially, they are so contagiously happy that I can't help but get swept up in the excitement of the holidays. Today, for example, the entire school gathered in the lobby and sang Christmas carols. The sound of their sweet voices filled the hallways, and I was instantly taken back to the memory of my childhood and the buzzing anticipation of Santa and his eight tiny reindeer dancing on rooftops. Their faces shined, smiles were exchanged, and hands were held as they finished with a jubilent rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". It was such an enchanting way to start the day!
So then, back in my classroom, I read "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (for the first time in about 15 years!). And my "Grinch voice" would do my Mama proud, if I do say so myself! Anyway, at the end of the story, I asked the kids what the Grinch learned about Christmas. Of course, I got a few of the typical random 1st grade answers like, "He learned that he likes the color green!", and "He learned that he needs reindeer and not a dog!". But one answer stood out from the rest. A little girl in the back said, "He learned that Christmas isn't about what you get, it's about who you're with, and who you love. It's about family, and friends, and Jesus." (Yes, a 1st grader said this!) And I, in turn, teared up.
I love children, their sweet innocence and their surprising wisdom. I love how they can remind us, in their silly ways, that it's the simple things that matter the most. No matter what they go through (parents deploying, changing schools, packing their life up every 2-3 years) they always have this wide-eyed optimism that serves to inspire us to be a little more hopeful, a little more happy, and a little more kind.
May the spirit of Christmas fill your heart this year. May joy surround you and your family. And may Christ fill your lives with childlike wonder & amazement at all the blessings you have received!
With love and a Merry Christmas,
Chris & Amy