Family Picture

Family Picture

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Christmas Day 2014


In spite of sickness, we had a special Christmas this year.  Sometimes it takes pulling away from the world, and the busyness of even the best of things, for us to truly focus on the most important things.
We celebrated this year with a sharper, more intentional, appreciation of His coming. 
 His humble birth...Immanuel...God with us.  
He is our hope.  An anchor for our souls, not only at Christmas, but always.  We are so glad He came.  So thankful He provides for us, gently leads us,  restores us, comforts us, heals us and bountifully blesses us.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!  
Luke 2:14


It has also been a wonderful thing to witness Amy coming to understand the Christmas story.  Hearing her and Anna's voices singing Christmas carols and quoting scripture from the the events surrounding Jesus' birth was one of my favorite gifts this year.

When watching the polar express with Amy on Christmas eve, I was so moved by Amy's response to one of the opening scenes of the movie.  
When the boy comes out of his home and is offered a ride on the train, 
Amy commented:  Momma, is he coming back home?  Cause if he is not coming back home, I don't want to watch this movie.  It will be a bad movie.
My response:  He will absolutely be going back to his home, all the children will be going back home to their families.  They will ride on the train to the north pole, stay for just a little while, then go back home.
Amy's comment:  Are you sure?
My response:  Yes, I am sure because I have seen this movie before.
This movie will end well.
Amy's response:  Ok momma, I want to watch it then.
My response:  All will be well with you also my sweet Amy, because you are home with us, and we are your forever family and no matter where you go, you will ALWAYS come back home.
Amy's final response as she settled under her blanket with comfort and reassurance so we could start the movie back:  Good!!! 
Then she snuggled up close between Scott and myself and enjoyed the movie.


Because Amy has been so sick with high fevers and flu symptoms, she slept in bed with me all week and I was pretty much by her side most of the time during the day other than when she dozed.  I fed her crushed popsicles with a spoon, a few goldfish crackers at a time and would keep cool wash cloths on her forehead. Her attachment to me has been taken to a deeper level.  I see it even now that she is much better.  She stays close to me throughout the day.  Wanting to be wherever I am.  And as anyone who has adopted an older child before knows, this is a very good thing indeed.  
And if it took the mean and nasty Influenza A to tighten our mother/daughter bond with even greater strength, then we will count this as one of our most wonderful Christmas blessings for 2014.

Anna's favorite gifts were her sewing machine and art kit


Amy's favorite gifts were all things "Frozen" and her art kit

Stocking stuff, candy and light up, soft, fluffy snowballs

Amy loves anything that lights up!
Ice skating Elsa! Unwrapping wonderful Christmas presents trumps the flu!


One more favorite, a cookie press



Mandarin Dress and matching purple headband for Chinese New Year
Amy loves the character of Elsa and can sing most of the songs from the movie.  She got the sing along version of Frozen and sang her heart out when we watched it together Christmas night.

Wesley likes his new pajama's and soft blanket

Will about to unwrap his soft blanket

Thankful for a nice Christmas day even as 5 out of the six of us did not feel 100%

No comments:

YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS: