We FINALLY got the house decorated for Christmas.  ummmm, yeah, it’s been a bit cwazy around here.  But, with the constant barrage of nagging and whining from the kids, I succumbed to the fact that it was now or never.  Do you realize that we have 49 Christmas music boxes in our possession?  Only a few of them are actually owned by JD and myself – the rest are the kids’.  They get one (or more) for every Christmas.  They used to get them from their Great-Grandmother (JD’s grandmother) … and now they get them from Mama Lu (JD’s mom).  Then, my doctor-friend (the one who delivered DD#1) started giving the kids smaller (thank you!) music boxes – which just adds to our collections.  We had to remove everything from the VCR bookshelf, clear off the fireplace mantle and clear off a couple more shelves in our bookcases just to fit everyone in.  And now, we’ll be expecting at least four more in a few days.  Wow, what a mess!  So, while I unpacked the music boxes (no small feat, considering they’re all mostly in their original boxes), Mama Lu and the kids hung ornaments on the tree.  It came close, but our timing was just a bit off as it took me longer to unpack – which gave the kids (and even the dog) ample time to screw around and get into trouble.  Next year, I think I’ll start secretly unpacking the music boxes, so when it’s time to decorate, the kids won’t have to wait on me!

This year, we’ll attend Christmas Eve services at church tomorrow evening.  Then, Christmas morning, the kids will sing Happy Birthday  to Jesus – before running from their rooms to see what Santa brought them.  Hopefully, Thursday morning will be made up of relaxed fun and chaos – no screaming, no fighting and no whining.  We are one of those families who makes everyone open one present at a time, so we can all oooh and awwww over what they got.  That makes our morning last a bit longer, and it makes the moments of Christmas turn into a couple of hours.  And this year, we really have something very special planned for a couple of the girls!

Then, JD’s sister and her kids will arrive on Friday, and we’ll have our Christmas with his family that evening.  It’s usually more chaotic (because I sit in the background and let the matriarchs of the family be in charge) and they are all into the fun and excitement more than the slow process that I enjoy.  I’ll be making dinner, of course, because everyone loves a good meal before we waddle to the living room for presents! 

I guess I’ll be spending my evening tonight wrapping gifts – as I haven’t even opened the wrapping paper yet!  EEEEEK

Thoughts for this Christmas Countdown Day:  The anticipation and excitement in our children are palpable – especially now that the tree is decorated and the stockings are hung by the chimney with care.  I hope we’ll all be able to take a few moments to reflect upon the true spirit of Christmas – because we are awaiting the coming of the Christ!