Betsy's First Christmas

Christmas has come and gone and left so many things to ponder. It was wonderful having Myron, Molly and Betsy here from Thursday until Monday. We had the opportunity to really bond with Betsy and enjoyed her so much. She has such a beautiful smile and is really starting to notice the world around her. She was so good for us the evening we babysat and let Molly & Myron have a night out at the movies. We decided to break with tradition and exchange our gifts on Christmas eve since Christmas was on Sunday and we wanted to be in church. It was a wonderful evening...Myron started by reading the Christmas story to us and we thought about the wonder the shepherds must have felt at being a part of such an exciting night. I remember how I felt as a young child participating in our church's live nativity. There was such a feeling of excitement and anticipation as we sang the traditional carols. I miss that time...it seems we often get too busy at this season to really cherish the great "Gift" who came to earth to redeem us! We really missed having Joel and Wendy with us this year. They went to Texas to spend Christmas with her brother's family. Joel is the one who always got us to stick to traditions...our orange danish rolls, opening our stockings...opening each gift one at a time. I really missed him. I guess it's inevitable that things change when your children marry and start families of their own. So I feel especially blessed that Molly and Myron were willing to let us be a part of Betsy's first Christmas. That night we went to my parents house for the Hoffman Christmas. Our numbers were down a little this year but the house was still packed to the rafters! It was fun to see all the new babies and catch up with brothers and sisters I hadn't seen for awhile. Mom and Dad were both a little under the weather but still wanted to have the festivities at their house. Since I have 2 sisters and 4 brothers...plus all our kids and grandkids...it was quite a gang! But we're very blessed to have the chance to be together and share all that family love while Grandpa Bill plays Santa. Those are times we'll always cherish.