Merry Christmas

We've had a lovely Christmas Eve doing lots of baking. We have made mince pies for Father Christmas, shortbread christmas trees and home made pizza for tea. All the presents are bought and wrapped and we are settling down for a nice relaxing evening before going to church for Midnight Mass.

I have fond memories of attending Litchfield Cathedral in Staffordshire as a child at midnight on Christmas Eve for a service of carols. I always found it really magical and I loved it. I remember one year when I was around 6 or 7 we had arrived in Litchfield at about 10pm on the Christmas Eve and I desperately wanted to go to the midnight service but everyone was too tired. In the end my dad took me and it was magical as ever. I can remember him having to carry me out at the end though as I couldn't stay awake any longer.

I want J and E to understand all about the meaning of Christmas and that it is not just about the presents and Father Christmas but about a baby who was born over 2,000 years ago and they understand that. I'm hoping its just as magical tonight as I felt it was as a child.

I am really looking forward to Christmas this year but I can't believe how quickly 2008 has flown by. I think this will be the best Christmas we've ever had as a family. I can't wait to see the kids faces in the morning. I feel like I am more in love with dh than ever too at the moment. I am loving us spending lots of quality time together as a family.

When the kids are in bed tonight dh and I will be doing lots of building things and I thought this poem was very appropriate!!

A Parents Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas
when all through the house
I searched for the tools
to hand to my spouse

Instructions were studied
and we were inspired,
in hopes we could manage
"Some Assembly Required."

The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds,
while Dad and I faced the evening with dread:
a kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot!
And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot!

We opened the boxes,
my heart skipped a beat
- let no parts be missing
or parts incomplete!

"Too late for last-minute returns or replacement;
if we can't get it right, it goes in the basement!
When what to my worrying eyes should appear
but 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear.

With each part numbered and every slot named,
so if we failed, only we could be blamed.
More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out,
all over the carpet they were scattered about.

"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there!
Slide on the seats, and staple the stair!
Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand."
"Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand."

And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact
that all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact
to keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night
with "assembly required" till morning's first light

We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work,
till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt.
The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin
before we attached the last rod and last pin.

Then laying the tools away in the chest,
we fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.
But I said to my husband just before I passed out,
"This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt.

Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring,
and not have to run to the store for a thing!
We did it! We did it! The toys are all set
for the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!"

Then off to dreamland and sweet repose
I gratefull went, though I suppose
there's something to say for those self-deluded-
I'd forgotten that BATTERIES are never included!

I also came across this Christmas Blessing, by anon, tonight and will leave you with this on this Christmas Eve, Merry Christmas everyone:

God bless the master of this house,
The mistress also,
And all the little children
That round the table go;
And all your kin and kinfolk,
That dwell both far and near;
I wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.