Well, it's almost Christmas and I can definately feel the magic in the air! Justin and I are getting ready to celebrate our second Christmas together. We have the green lights around the door, our stockings are hung, the tree towers above our head with the oddest assortment of ornaments one could imagine and the advent calendars fill our tummies nightly. Ah, the joys of the holiday season!
It all started when our family went up to NYC to see the world famous Rockettes. It was a lot of fun because we got to experience it with mom who had always dreamed of the trip. We got up there a day after they had put up the Rockefeller Tree so there was still planks up so they could decorate, but it was still awesome to finally see it live. That night we went to the show and sat in awe at the eye-high kicks, costumes, and sparkles. If you didn't feel the spirit of Christmas then you truly are a real life Scrooge! I hope we can do it again!!
The beginning of this month was, of course, Dickens. I absolutely love going to it because the town becomes so magical; thrown back to one of my favorite literary eras. It's amazing to see everyone, locals and tourists alike, come together to experience this. And who can forget the smells from street vendors that linger in the air. And this year was especially nice because Justin finally got to walk around with me for a little bit!!!
Then yesterday Justin and I went up to make our Christmas ornaments. We go up to the Corning Glass Museum and blow our own ornaments. This is our second year doing it and we plan to make it a yearly tradition, which my parents have now gotten in to. This year we had new ribbed ones and he did clear while I had a ruby gold one, made with real gold :-D Then we also went out with my parents and Aunt Ernie and Uncle Clint to celebrate our first year anniversary (a few months late), their 40th anniversary (a few days early) and my dad's new full-time job (right on time!).
And what does the last week hold? Well, Friday night is the Christmas Jamboree for the preschool. This is my favorite time of year to be working with the children because the feel is so palpable and it just grows as the day nears. Everyday I hear about what Santa is bringing and the carols from the children's lips are hilarious to hear. It's just such a time of innocence that it makes me feel good to have that little faith in the impossible. I can't wait for Fri. because I'm QUITE interested to see how the kids do in their play and to see if any of them fall off the fairly tall stage in front of 60 parents ha.
Then of course is Christmas Eve at Justin's parents' house. And Christmas Eve service, although I'm not happy about the presents we have to open for the church. After that is Christmas morning at our own place, followed by my parents, dinner at my grandma's, and then after it is all said and done, bringing EVERYONE (yes all 5 people) up to fill our tiny place to the rafters :-)
With all that, Justin and I want to wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas! Keep the spirit and innocence of believing in Santa Claus (just like me hehe), but continue to remember that the best present we have all recieved for Christmas is the birth of our Saviour, and the REAL reason for the season. God Bless!
