Tomorrow both Jim and I are back to work, so I thought I would take a few moments and remember this Christmas that is now in the past.
Our Christmas festivities started on Christmas Eve. My cousin, Megan, was visiting with her daughter from Nova Scotia. Her daughters birthday is on Christmas Day so we had a little party for her. It was very nice with some of my family. Jim made some VERY delicious chili and we had some cake. Mekada got to play with Gabby and I got to hang out with my cousin who I have not seen in about 15 years.After the party we packed up the kids (well I packed up the kids, while Jim snuck around the city "doing something") and headed to church. The Christmas Eve service is always such a blessing. A time to celebrate Jesus' birthday. After church we headed over to Dragon Fort (a very yummy Chinese restaurant and one of the only places open on Christmas Eve) for our annual tradition of eating out on Christmas Eve. This year Jim's entire family decided to join us, even his dad and brother, who had been in emergency earlier that day made it out. (Why emergency, Jims dad was quite dizzy, the diagnosed him with Crystals in the inner ear). We ate, then drove around a little, headed home and put the kiddos to bed. Jim and I then got to play Santa and arrange our presents under the tree.
On Christmas Day we slept in until 8:30, Jim drove over to pick up his dad while I made breakfast. We ate, then Jim (and Gabby) told the Nativity story using Little People. It was so special hearing Gabby actually know most of the story. Then we got to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and eat cake (Mommy was supposed to make a chocolate cake that Gabby picked out, but just used the leftovers from Mekadas party the day before...she totally asked where her chocolate cake was). We then took the next 4 hours to open presents. The kids would get tired and need a rest, Judah was a huge grump and we had to drive Jims dad home in the middle of it. When we were almost done, we heard a very loud bang and then the power went out. How fun! On Christmas Day no power...fortunately we did not have to make a big meal for people...so we just made some burgers on the BBQ for lunch and the power came back on before dinner time (about 4 hours after it went off) What happened??? A crow flew into the power lines and got fried! Yes really! We then just had a relaxing evening together. Judah was absolutely miserable ALL day...like he had his worst day EVER on Christmas Day...so grumpy!!! At the end of the day though I said to Jim that this was my favourite Christmas yet. It was just so nice and relaxing and the kids are learning so much about Jesus and his birthday and don't care so much for Santa.
Boxing Day, well I woke up at 6am and decided to go check out Walmart...guess what I bought on Boxing Day??? Toilet paper and kleenex...have almost a years supply now :) Then I went home and started cooking potatoes. I think I washed, cut and seasoned 15 pounds of potatoes. Jim kept saying no thats not enough, maybe more. Just a little more...maybe a few more...just a couple... We then packed up the van with potatoes and presents and Jim drove around the corner to his brothers house. I decided to walk with the kids. Judah was content for the few minutes we were walking. Gabby, in her Sunday best was having fun holding her new umbrella on this slightly rainy day...and alas...she steps in dog poo (see the picture)...not once...not twice, but three times! Then proceeded to touch it TWICE while taking shoes off. Never a dull moment with us! We had a nice meal with Jims family, the kids got to play and open a couple presents. I got to go for a relaxing dip in the hottub (just imagine 7 kids, ages are 2,5,6,7,9,12,13 in the hot tub with Julie and I, not so relaxing) and left early to get the kids into bed. The one thing that was missing at this celebration was Jim's dad. He was there, but wasn't, something was off with him all day. He would forget things he had done and just seemed like he wasn't there. He did seem a little happier when he returned in the evening but still not himself. Oh and forgot to mention we brought home about HALF the potatoes...yes I said that...HALF!!! I love Jim!
The next day we had some friends over for lunch. We only see them about once or twice a year since they moved to Gibsons so we squeezed them in when we could while they were here. It was a lovely lunch, we had leftover Potatoes and some turkey :) The were here for a few hours then we had to pack up the van again to head over to another house for a Lasagna dinner. This is an annual tradition at the Benjamin house. We got to hang out with some friends and Gabby and Judah's gramma and grampa Benjamin. They got spoiled yet again! It was another late night for the kids, but Gabby was pleasant and Judah was nicely medicated on Tylenol and Ibuprofen.
The following day we packed up the kids at 10am to head into Vancouver. We were going to meet my family at the Aquarium then go to the Stanley Park train. Judah was running on NO sleep all day! He refused to sleep all day. So on top of his grumpy grumpy teething pants he was over tired! Gabby was so much fun at the aquarium. Judah just loved to be parked in front of the really big tanks and watch the fish. We then headed to the train...Judah finally fell asleep about 15 minutes before we boarded the train so he had a little power nap and was more pleasant after. We were invited to go back to my Aunts house for a late dinner but our children were DONE!
The next morning we woke up to a very sick Gabby, she had caught a stomach bug. Judah now on top of being teething fusy he has a bad cold as well. YAY! So this was our first day to relax so that is what we did. Jim had a little work to do but me and the kids relaxed. Gabby puked all day, pooped all day and Judah cried... the following day...pretty much the same...more puke, more poop and more screaming...Judah had now caught the stomach bug too.
Then we got to New Years Eve. Well we were going to just stay home and relax. Jim and I put the kids to bed, ordered Chinese Food, drank some wine, ate some chocolate and went to bed...asleep by 10:30 :) It was the best way to spend New Years!
Then comes New Years Day, we took it easy, went for lunch with Jims dad and well this started our THREE trips to IKEA! Another post to come soon about IKEA!
With all that said, I am very excited about 2011. Some prayer requests for the coming year are
1. Jims dad - for healing and/or peace for him as well as knowledge for the doctors
2. Jims Uncle Bernie - he is suffering with a form of anemia (I think so anyways) that attacks Bone Marrow
3. church - direction for our Pastors
4. our Pastorate - this is our bible study (just that everyone can learn exactly what we should)
5. our family of 4 - that we can continue to teach our children about God and the love that he has for them AND that Jim and I can make date nights a priority
6. our businesses - that both Jim and I can run our businesses in a way that honours God and that we can be good stewards of our money
If you have anything that you would like to add to the list, let me know :)
Blessings!
Patti, Jim, Gabby & Judah
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