Christmas 2014

"I'll Be Home For Christmas"

I feel like I should credit my copy-cat off a much admired young Mama-friend of mine and state that the blogs I plan to write this 2015 season will be “about the Young-McKenzie’s, for the Young-McKenzie’s, to the Young-McKenzie’s” because I am going to try to spend time this year chronicling our 2015.

 I do this on Facebook because I use this site to capture family moments (and blogs) and put them in book format at the end of the year.  I don’t know if my children will ever read them (my daughter will), but I write them anyway…one of my legacies to them.

This year’s Christmas was an especially meaning one for me because this was the year I released with my blessing, each my three adult children to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day with me or to do other things they might want to do.  In keeping with my family’s theme to “surrender” all things to God, it included respecting their adult-hood and their right to decide.  

They are the children of divorced parents who “take turns” hosting Christmas for their children every other year.  This year was “mine”.  But, I wrapped up my “turn” in a letter with a bow and gave each child the freedom to go where they would like to go.  It was not easy, because I am a mother who loves the presence of her children.  But, sometimes, you have to let go of your children and pray they find their way back to you.  And, my prayer is to be the kind of mother with whom my children will want to spend time.

It is a blessing to me beyond measure that they each, on their own, chose to spend the holiday as a family with me and their Ladder Dad and then with my family in another town.  No other gift could compare and it is one which I will always treasure.

Not only were we able to spend time together, but our time together embraced all of us in a big, warm blanket of a hug.  We laughed, played cards, ate dinner, watched TV, opened gifts and laughed some more.  Christmas Eve night lit up my heart like the twinkle lights on our tree with joy and thanksgiving and love.  

Christmas Eve evening, after each child had surrendered their souls to bed (in expectation of Santa, I am sure), it was a tender mother moment I had as I walked into each room and prayed over that child.  First, Kenton, who breathes so quietly that I have to lean close to hear him.  He sleeps hard and does not even realize I am in the room.  Then on to Madison, who has a little snuggle to her breathing which I can hear the moment I enter her room.  I tread lightly because, she is a light sleeper (unless dog tired), and I can smell the faint sweetness of her perfume as I pray over her.  Then onto the last room, Johnson’s room, in which he has his military gear all lined up like soldiers against his wall.  His room is chilled and cool and he has an abundance of covers which I go to and move to better cover him.  The tears fall as I look upon this soldier-son who just a few days ago was an infant I rocked in my Mama chair.

There is no greater gift outside of salvation than my husband and my children…and, my husband’s children.

I totally understand that I totally do not understand the fullness of God’s love….because I know my own love for my own children grows dramatically, deeply and fully with each passing day and yet, God's love for us is even greater.

I love them.  But, I also know they are on loan from God….and, so, I cherish the moments, be they great or small….

Each is a gift…and, each put the “Merry” in our Christmas of 2014.

Christmas didn't "officially" start at our home until Kenton made his way from Tech Training to 112 Gatewood.  All of us made the trek to the airport to pick up our Airman!!

  

Everything felt more precious this Christmas and family time meant even more.  This year, the boys had been to Lackland Air Force Base for eight grueling weeks of Basic Military Training (BMT), Madison had kept working full time at ESH while taking a full load of undergraduate studies at EKU.  I had three surgeries in 68 days and spent much of the Summer/Fall recovering and Ian was the glue which held us all together.  Time was spent letter writing our Airmen and cherishing the letters we received from them.

So, this time together around the holiday was especially magical!

After Christmas at our home, we traveled West, to go to Grammy and Poppy's house where more frolicing and fun was sure to occur!

Our Christmases are made complete with Uncle "Boots" Bruce leading the crew in a few good seasons of "Big Booty", a tradition our family has grown to love being passed down from the Roberts side of the family.  

 

Grammy and Madison getting in on a new kind of fun "Helium Balloon" singing......(you have to be there to fully understand), but it's a good thing when a Grammy and Granddaughter can laugh together.

 

Fun was had by all....and, we were blessed to have all attend except for my older brother and family, who were missed but were soaking up some sun!

Praying over the meal, laughing, opening gifts, Big Booty, sharing time together...it's all good....but,

The real reason for the season, the meaning of it truly comes from remembering the One who made it all possible.  The one who was born in a manger....who gave us the greatest gift of all gifts...

Jesus....