No Dreaming Here!

It's Christmas Eve and we've had a couple of Christmas miracles.

First, is this...
It was in the mid-70's yesterday. We are now several hours into this falling snow and our temps are in the 20's. Welcome to Texas, y'all.

It's the first time in over 80 years this area has had a white Christmas.

The second miracle of note was that the boys went to bed without any arguing or stalling. Any parent can appreciate what a miracle that truly is. Noah was in bed in exactly 2.8 seconds. And I think he may be giving himself hives over the fact that Brian and I are still awake. We've been tracking Kris Kringle via NORAD and when Noah proclaimed that Santa was on the southern tip of Texas, nothing in us desired to tell him it was actually Argentina and that Santa still had a ways to go. When a kid's actually motivated to get in bed one of 365 days, why fight a good thing? Merry Christmas to me.

This is our first Christmas Eve to spend as just the four of us. Tomorrow, we'll wake up to our own Santa gifts and enjoy a new tradition of spending Christmas morning at home. As part of that tradition, we read the Christmas story at bedtime, stripped of any jolly old men, merry little elves or toys made in China (do kids ever notice that?!). No, this was the original and true Christmas story - simple, signed into Old Testament prophecy, sealed in the form of a little baby and delivered with love. The very best gift ever.

But Noah, in all his panic, didn't think we had time to read AN ENTIRE BOOK. It started off well enough, with Brian asking the boys what Christmas is all about. In the Christmas video at school, Tyler enthusiastically replied, "Opening presents!" while Noah solemnly stated, "Jesus." I suppose Tyler has come a little way since then, as tonight's response was, "Giving presents." And, when Brian asked Noah what happened to Jesus that we celebrate at Christmas, his answer was, "He died on the cross."

Holy cow. Are these the two same kids who are at church twice a week and who attend a Christian preschool?!

Anyway, it about killed Noah that we had to read AN ENTIRE BOOK while Santa was still wishing Feliz Navidad to some kids south of here. So, in protest, this is how he spent our special Christmas story time while Tyler was all ears.

Incidentally, I think my OCD has filtered over into Noah. When most kids leave a note for Santa, they express their undying love and appreciation for the jolly fellow. At the very least, they wish Santa safe travels or remember to thank him for coming by.

But then there are letters like this...

Because when your dad has had to lay the flooring four times due to a stubborn dip in the concrete, I suppose you feel like you have to explain why your sorry parents never got a Christmas tree up under which Santa is supposed to present his yearly offerings.

Indeed, this is the first year we will go without a tree. It's kind of sad, but between my SI joint being out, traveling, our floor and the fact that I head to South Africa on New Year's Day, we decided to go without. The only thing I have out is one little nativity scene, which, really, is the focal point of the season anyway.

And, as the children are nestled all snug in their bed, I suppose Brian and I should relieve Noah of his stress and get our cap and 'kerchief and our long winter's nap on.

We wish you and yours a warm and joyous Christmas. We are so thankful for and humbed by all the blessings God pours over us. Most of all, for the little babe born in a barn because His Daddy loves us so much.

And, Feliz Navidad, Santa. See you soon!