Magical and Merry

I couldn't have conjured a better way to begin our Christmas Eve day than to be asked to sponsor baby Brynne for baptism.  As long as her mother Kristi, and I have been friends, (since 9th grade),  really, it felt more like being amongst family, than friends, and we were so honored to be chosen by her and her husband.

Baptism= my first gift of the day.

We had lunch with Kristi and her family afterwards and then went home to prepare for our own church service.  At some point during the church service I realized, we had no drama about going to church.  No epic protests, or battles of will.  Both boys, willingly attended, and participated.  I looked over to see not one, not just two, but all three of my boys singing all the Christmas Carols... gratifying to say the least. 
Christmas Eve church service = gift number two for me.
After church we picked up mom and headed home for presents.  Colton's eyes were so big and wide with excitement.  Each photo I took of him looking at me, his eyes burned bright red and could not be fixed with my photo editor... but the outbursts of pure joy he couldn't contain will stay with me for a long time. 

    Both boys wanted pillow pets... I hesitated when I saw they were for ages 3 and up.  But they have been a favorite companion ever since opening them.  Part of me delights in seeing the boys still have room in their hearts for cute and cuddly. 

My mom, who has not been feeling all that well, made a special effort to be with us.  But her efforts were rewarded with the gift of a huge portrait of her grandchildren made by Rick.  She hasn't stopped thanking us since then.  Thank you to my dh for granting his time and effort in making something so special for my mom.  He apologized for not getting me a gift, but between the beautiful card he gave me and seeing mom as happy as she was... how does that not count as a really big gift to me? 


We awoke to a foggy and grey looking Christmas morning.  But the spirit of Christmas transformed grey into magical the way the frost and fog transformed the landscape into breathtaking beauty.  We were on our way to the lake for the afternoon, and Rick handed me his camera to shoot.

None of these photos were shot in black and white, this is entirely what it looked like our entire drive to Park Rapids- picture postcard perfect!  Hello, gift number three.

  
The boys were once again excited to find more presents awaiting them.  Paper Jamz turned out to be the coolest gift ever.  Thanks Aunt Missy, you rock! Baseball caps with NHL logos were also a huge hit thanks to Uncle Matt and Aunt Julie!

The boys quickly discovered Grandma and Grandpa had a manmade sledding hill via the side walk leading down to the house.  Lack of snow gear didn't deter all three boys from taking turns on the sled.  

Nolan's ride ended with a huge crash into the snowbanks at the end of his ride... how very Nolan-like it was. 

Gunnar "snowboarded" down the hill.

Colton squealed all the way down the hill but the huge grin on his face told me it was more fun than not.

Its true, my (tongue in cheek) Christmas wish list didn't materialize, in the way one would think.  No, I'd say what I received was even better.  The mindful presence of my every day abundance and the bounty of my blessings.  And what did you receive for Christmas?