For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
(Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV)
(In our Christmas Jammies)
Here all 5 of the kids are in there new Christmas Jammies
With this being our very first time in Tennessee for Christmas we needed to figure out where to look at Christmas lights???
A friend of ours gave us three suggestions. So we headed to a town about 30 mins away.
WOW were we blown away. Unfortunately I only had my camera phone and the photos do NOT do it Justice at all.
But here is what I got.
1st location Fair Grounds
Fair Grounds
Fair Grounds
Fair Grounds
Second Location. I think this is enough lights to cover the whole state!
But its just one house
Live Animals at the 3rd location
This was the 3rd location with a Live Santa
And a Frosty
Which My son is FREAKED out about anyone in costume (except Santa?)
I took so many more photos but they just came out worse then these ones. Boo-Next year my night vision Camera is for sure going to be there.
But we spent the night doing what most people do. In our house its Potato Soup, Christmas story, Night before Christmas story, and Christmas Jammies! But we added on a gift exchange where each member of the family drew and name and did a gift exchange. I got a cute little book from my 2nd oldest daughter that was all about how lucky she was to have a mom like me. Heart melting!! And the kids all got some toy they wanted lol My memory is already fading so here is some pics.
Legos for Levi
Baby Doll for Amariah
(Oh and each kid got marshmallows and a hot chocolate pack to take with us to look at lights)
Anika a Art box full of different art supplies
Shyanne got a Doc McStuffins "Stuffy" Dragon
Mike got a Something he wanted? I have no idea really what it is?
But he is apparently really excited about it
Allyson got some 5 headed dragon
And I guess I didnt take a picture of my book but I need to get one and put it on here.
Then after all the excitement and looking at the lights we sent the kiddos to bed.
Mike and I knew that no matter what we did we probably would not be getting much sleep. I finished watching the rest of the Nativity movie that we had started before dinner time. Then when we thought the kids might be asleep, or at least pretending well we started packing the bottom of the tree with gifts and stocking the stockings!
One little sneaky kid was peaking. I wont say who this child was but SHE is not the first born, or the third, or the 5th. This little sneaky got caught though and ended up in a room with a closed door. I was thinking I might need to add something black and hard to her stocking. But I guess its the season of showing Grace to others. So I let her slide this one time.
Like most Christmas mornings the kids are up way to early. In fact I found out later on in the day that a Ms. Allyson was up at 2 am thinking the day should start. Luckily for me her oldest sister Anika told her it was way to early and sent her back to bed. I heard the kids get up around 5:30am and tried ignoring them to the best of my abilities. But I couldnt go back to sleep. So instead I spend about 30 mins in God's word reading John. I used to think John was my favorite book in the Bible but now I have so many favorites I couldnt possibly choose. Nothing like starting Jesus's Birthday off with his word and story of his birth.
About 6am I rolled over in bed and told Mike it was probably about time we got up and let the kids get out of misery of waiting to open stuff. We said they could do stockings but after stockings they needed to wait tell I had breakfast in the oven. Breakfast consisted of a Bacon-Cheese Quiche and Carmel Cinnamon rolls. Heres the link to the Quiche is your want to make it. It was my first attempt and ended up being a crowd pleaser.
Oh and that mug I got in my stocking from Mike. It says, "Instant Human Just add Coffee"
He knows me all to well.
After a torturous 35 mins or so I had everything in the oven and the kids were ready to roll with the gifts.
Things I enjoyed the most was my mom hand made 4 American Girl doll dresses for the girl's dolls (Amariah doesnt have one yet so her dress will have to wait tell shes older) I cant believe how much time she must have put into them and they are amazing. They really need there own blog! Once the kids get them on their dolls I am sure I will post that blog.
Thanks MAMA!
Heres a few pics to show off the goodies.
I know I said a few. But with 5 kids a few ends up being 13-ekkkThat was the majority of the kids goods and Mike got a bunch of AHA stuff and I got a water bath cooker (canning yay) a cook book to go with that. New knives set, and a cow hide rug (not real fur) So it was pretty good! :)
This Christmas has been one of our Laziest ones with the fact that we arent hosting anyone at our house. Which usually I would say it doesnt feel like Christmas but this time around it has been very nice. I get to just kind of lounge around. We hate left over soup for Lunch and I threw in some cornbread. But dont think we are being completely anti-social as we are heading off to my Aunts house for dinner.
Also Mikes parents are flying in from California and Land some time around 8pm tonight so we will be seeing them tomorrow and spending the next few days with them. So I am sure I will have a lot more to Blog about. Until Next year-
Remember that the true meaning of Christmas isnt about presents or bows but about the Savior who humbled himself enough to be born of a virgin and give us all the best gift of all Grace and Salvation. That is why we exchange gifts. To remind us of THE gift of Jesus for each and everyone.
(If you want to know more about Jesus and what the Gospel is check out the link http://www.thegospelistrue.com/)
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