Christmas

Christmas--Christ, the hope of glory. 

We have lots of traditions as a family and we enjoyed them this morning for possibly the last time in our home of 8 years.  The older kids had their Christmas sleepovers with the younger kids.  Of course, no one got much sleep.  We baked our birthday coffee cake for Jesus and sang "Happy Birthday".  We read the Christmas story.  Then the presents.  Each of the kids got 3 presents (just like Jesus).  We have very large homemade stockings to fill due to the 3 gift rule.  ( : 

The presents--well, let me tell you we are electronically set for our trip.  Stan and I got a laptop.  Libby got a netbook.  Evan FINALLY got a cell phone.  Libby and I also got new cell phones so that we could switch to Verizon for wireless internet.  The little kids got their first electronic games.  Nintendo DS handheld games.  All of our gifts were surprisingly small.  We haven't visited Grandparents, yet, but I had them on board with the small items.  My sister in Oregon sent us Starbucks gift cards to be used at a later date on the road. 

We visited with our neighbors this week, as we always do during the holidays.  We told most of them of our plans to put the house on the market in the Spring.  It was bittersweet.  I am so excited for our trip, but also sad to say goodbye to good neighbors and friends.

We are truly blessed.  So thankful..................................