Finding the Magic in Christmas

Once James saw Jesus in the hallway, as we peeked out of the door asking daddy if it was okay to come out, I held both my babies as we walked down the stairs.Rachel was smiling like usual, but James was not sure what to think. Once he saw even more presents than the night before, he became more excited when we told him he could open them.
The magic of Christmas was found in our home through our curious, excited and appreciative James and being in the presence of our baby Rachel.

We briefly talked about baby Jesus and than told James that "Santa is like Jesus and is the spirit of Giving" and that Santa brought all of these presents to us. This is our Christmas tree, the part that is in the back that is not really seen. I had James decorate it so that he wouldn't be as tempted to grab my decorations off. It worked like a charm. He moved about 5 of mine the whole time it was up, but  never broke one. Everyday he would look at his decorations and take them off. Then place them back on. It was like everything came alive and new. He found so much joy with his imagination and was so interested when I would teach him something new about Christmas.

That magic that had faded a little each year since I was a child, was lit again and through James I felt that little Christmas magic that I had felt as a child.

 A few of his favorite things this Christmas were:

• Christmas trees and Christmas lights
• Unwrapping presents
• Playing with the nativity set every single day. I had it placed up on the table and he would always ask me if I could bring it down. He loved unwrapping each piece each day and I would have to put an end to playing with the pieces, or he could have gone on for hours.
• His "choo choo" which is really cars on tracks, that he plays with all the time.
• His grandparents and Nana who spends so much time with him when they see him.
• His mommy and daddy who he knows loves him and is always there for him. 
• Candy, or anything sweet
• Buzz and his new toy REX from Toy story. His new favorite thing is dinosaurs. He carries 3 of them around everywhere he goes (along with Buzz of course).  

I loved hearing him say "dang do" after each gift he opened. He has really become a well mannered boy, since we are so persistent on thank you and please.  I just hope he does it when we aren't around too.

 Yet his biggest, most adored gift was his baby sister...........

........because she's the one who will be played with more than any toy this coming year. And she is the one who will smile at almost anything he does.

 

Yes, James doesn't know it yet, but one day he will look at her and say "I LOVE YOU". 

This year was a lot more quiet than we are used to, yet this was a Christmas we will never forget. It was the first Christmas we had all to ourselves. We created traditions as a family and enjoyed all 4 of us. We all looked through our stockings and unwrapped the gifts from Santa. Then James handed our all the gifts to each one of us. Watching James unwrap some of his gifts, and then taking a brake and playing with what he got and then returning again to finish more, allowed the present unwrapping to last longer and therefore Christmas lasted a while even at our house. I made breakfast and then we just played some more and James was sure to unwrap Rachel's when she fell asleep. We talked to our family and found out what everyone did and got, while wished everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

 We got together with all of Josh's sisters(brothers live in Nevada) and mom and pa. We had a scrumptious dinner and then had a program at Jessica's house. We had a story of the nativity, a talent show and white elephant gifts. It was a hit and James had a blast with his cousin, while Rachel was held and kissed by everyone. I couldn't ask for a better extended family. They are so much fun and they are not only Josh's family but mine too. They are a true blessing in my life and the magic is knowing you can have 2 families that are yours and love you just the same.

May each Christmas become a little more magical than the last, through our little ones who make it possible.