Christmas Eve

How many times has is snowed in DFW on Christmas? Not too many! So my kids were so excited at even the thought of snow when they went to bed the night before Christmas Eve. We got Christmas Eve morning and met Wendy, Hunter, and Maddie at the movies to see the Chipmunks movie. The forcast said that we would have freezing rain that morning and snow by noon. So we went into the movie, freezing and surrounded by sleet and rain, but when we came out, there was snow!!! At that point it wasn't sticking but later in the day it started to make itself more known. Corey had to work until about 2, but once he got home we couldn't resist a snowball fight! It is funny watching kids play in the snow when they haven't had much experience. They thought I was crazy for putting so many layers on them but soon realized why:)

That night was the Christmas and candles service at church. That is one of my absolute favorite things at Christmas time! There are so many emotions that are brought up while standing in the candle-lite sacutary, filled with the sounds of Christmas. Thoughts of those who are not with us any more, all the blessings that we have, what the upcoming year holds, the sacrifice that God made for us, it goes on and on. In addition, my eyes fill with tears everytime I look at my girls holding their candles and singing Silent Night! I don't know what it is, but it melts my heart and makes me so incredibly proud of them. I am thankful everyday for the family and religous believes that have been passed down to me and now to my children. I consider myself very fortunate to have been raised in church and understanding the true meaning of Christmas. The Christmas Eve service warms my heart and washes away all of the stress that the holidays can bring in the days prior to it's arrival. I am so thankful for it each year!

After the service we were having Christmas at our house with Karen and Johnny, Kelly and Lindsey, Nana and Dad, Bruce, and Ronnnie and Chantel and their kids. Well, the weather continued to decline throghout the day and even going to the Candlelight service, it was slick. Ronnie and Chantel live in Midlothian and while they attempted to get here, it just was too dangerous. So our Chirstmas party got a lot smaller without them and Bruce, but at least everyone was safe!

We went ahead and did our "gift" exchange, which is a dollar gift for everyone. The big hit this year was the "WOW", that would be the dollar store version of the Sham-WOW! I think each man left with 2 or 3 of those:)

After eveyone left we put out our cookies for Santa and some hot chocolate and hit the bed. There was more snow in the forcast so we couldn't wait to see what it would look like outside on Christams!