This year's Christmas was a little different for us. Late Christmas Eve morning, the three younger kids gathered in our bed to snuggle with their mother in the Christmasy sort of way that she appreciates. Appreciates so much that she summoned Jordan to join in. Jeannette says the kids talked her into opening gifts that day, but I'm not so sure it wasn't her idea.
After a breakfast of scrambled eggs and cinnamon rolls, we went to the living room and Jameson read the Christmas story from the Bible while Jeannette and MelodyJoy reenacted it using our Precious Moments nativity set. It's a variation on a tradition we've followed since Jordan was a toddler, though usually the evening of Christmas Eve or on Christmas morning.
One of Melody's first gifts was one that I picked up at Kohl's for her: A Curious George stuffed animal. Jeannette's not big on stuffed toys, but I thought Melody would love it, since Curious George is one of her favorite shows. As you can see, I was right. In fact, she has the monkey by her side right now as she falls asleep.
We assumed this would be a thin Christmas, given my employment situation. However, as you'll see below, grandparents, aunts and uncles all did plenty to fill the tree for us.
One of Phillip's smallest gifts--a pair of earbuds for his mp3 player--was one of his favorites . . .
Jeannette decided she should reward Jordan with a big kiss for his gift to her . . .
The Russian tortoise from us and his Aunt Laura and Uncle Jamey was Jameson's big gift this year, and we added on a travel case so that he could accompany us to Wisconsin . . .
For some reason, I think this photo makes me look like an Interpol officer but, trust me, my new clothes look better than it appears here . . .
On Christmas morning, we surprised Phillip and Jordan with new leather jackets--a gift from us and Laura and Jamey. Phillip knew we had been shopping for a jacket for Jordan but not about his own, so we had him carry Jordan's jacket out to him. While he was doing so, I walked behind him carrying his own new coat. Both of them were very surprised and now Jordan no longer has to wear my old jacket and Phillip can put away the faux leather jacket that Jordan handed down to him.
Jameson's last gift was a Calvin and Hobbes book to read during our drive north. We knew if we let him open it any sooner, we wouldn't see him again until he'd finished it.
And MelodyJoy was thrilled to get her final present, from Jameson: a Wall-E DVD that she watched on our way to Wisconsin.
After that, we fired up the new GPS unit and drove off to see Grandpa Phil and Grandma Debbie, arriving just before dinner time. More to come on our visit there.
2 comments:
You don't like an Interpol officer--my uncle used to be one of those, representing Canada. You're not stern enough, and you don't hae serious firepower under your sweater vest. He carried a .44 so he could "shoot someone and have them stay down".
You look more like a Mormon missionary. Since we live in a town that's about 20% LDS, we see them often, though they rarely come to our door. Perhaps it's the barking Labrador Retriever, or just the fact that we're well-known to be Presbyterians with Mormon friends.
Lex
My older daughter, Naomi, is a junior at Houghton. She just came back from a semester in Spain. Bethany, the younger one, is a senior in high school, and most likely will attend Biola. So, we'll experience what it's like financially to have two kids in CCCU schools without tuition waivers. One is hard enough! Naomi took enough AP work to Houghton that she will graduate next Christmas, after 3 1/2 years. Then she wants to go to Fuller, where she WILL get a tuition waiver!
Cold night here in Pasadena--might get close to freezing.
The black vest might be a little flashy for a Mormon missionary, though.
. . .
We are dealing with the possible loss of TWEP as well, Lex. Of the three interviews I have set up next month so far, only one offers tuition remission elsewhere. Jordan had applied for TWEP at Cedarville and LETU before I lost my job. He has apps in at IPFW and the local community college now, as a back-up.
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