Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve day we spent in our pj's, playing games.

Eventually we got cleaned up and headed to St. Luke's (the oldest church in America) for our Christmas Eve service.  I dropped high expectations of Christmas Eve...I let the kids wear whatever they wanted to and I dressed casual, ready to hold 3 squirmy kids.  I was prepared with little pieces of candy to keep the kids quiet, but I was not prepared for the seating arrangements of the church.  When we walked into the very small church, we were seated in the front "box", right in front of Ben and right behind George.  And then the church filled up.  Everyone was squashed together and there was no where to escape if any of the kids started being loud.

 I wore Colin in the wrap and after a bottle and some songs, he crashed with his head looking up.  It was pretty sweet and I was thankful he was able to get a little nap in.  

Alison and Eliot did awesome sitting quietly, but Alison's velvet dress kept making her slip off the old bench and then she'd jump back on.  About half way through, Eliot whispered to me, "I play iPad?"  

Seriously?!  What have I created?  Who is this kid who asks to play the iPad in the middle of the Christmas Eve service.  I distracted him with a snack and told him it was almost over.  I think I told him that 6 more times and when George got up to give the benediction, there was a nice long, quiet pause and Eliot shouted, "WE'RE DONE!".

Yes, we survived the service and I look forward to the day we can all sing the songs together instead of munching on puffs.  

After the service we went over the Boomer's for dinner.  It was nice to have some fellowship, good food and lots of helpers for our "ready to move!" kids.

 

This was the first year that Hope had 2 services, so Ben had to go back to church for round 2 as the kids and I headed home.  He did an amazing job orchestrating the service and I'm so proud of all his work.  But this was the first year that I really felt the sacrifice of a pastor's wife.  

As we drove around to look at lights, opened our Christmas pj's and excitedly got ready for bed, I was sad that Ben was missing it.  Yes it's hard work doing it on my own, but really I just wanted him there with us.  I guess on the positive side, it gave me plenty of time to stuff his stocking :)