Christmas Eve and Christmas were wonderful.
Christmas Eve started with me at work. I had my gift exchange with my friends from Electronics. They gave me a new set of bunny ears for our television (our was missing an ear) and the movie Pearl Harbor... both EXCELLENT gifts! I left at lunch and dropped by Kmart on my way home. The traffic was horrendous and the people were almost as bad. Christmas definitely brings out both the best and the worst in people.
I then picked up Hannah and we went to John & Peg's for the family dinner. We were all very tired (especially Hannah) but had a good time. We spent the evening at home with Ben and Joe and Rachel. Ben then stayed for the night.
Christmas morning started at 7am for us. Once we had gotten up it was not long until Hannah's mother, Ben and Sam got up. We had a quick talk on the meaning of Christmas and I read from Isaiah 61. For the first time, I really feel like I get the meaning of Christmas-- Freedom! The gift of Christmas is atonement, which provides for redemption and brings freedom! Jesus bought us the gift of atonement with His blood as we buy each other gifts at Christmas. So because we have been redeemed, we are free! The only chains we bear are the ones we are holding on to ourselves. We need to understand that and live in that freedom, live in the Spirit of Christmas, all year long!
Riley Joy was not as into her Christmas packages as we thought she was going to be. Though she enjoys ripping things, she did not take much interest in tearing off the wrapping paper. Her favorite gift were her twin dolls sent to her by her Great Grandpa & Grandma Golden. Even before we had taken them out of the packaging she was pulling on them trying to get them out! She knew what they were and said, "Baby!" Then when we had gotten them out, she took one and held it close (it was upside down, though) and rocked it... it was very cute :-). She also got the most precious outfits from Grandad and Grandma and a really nice soft bear from Great Grandma Connie. My family also sent us a webcam which could possibly be the best gift we got this Christmas. We had two wonderful video visits with my family with it on Christmas day. Nana got Riley Joy some wonderful toys and got me House seasons 1 & 2 and a large bag of Dunkin Donuts coffee. She got Hannah some pants and a few other things. Hannah got me beef jerky and a nice shirt and a set of books I picked out.
Since then we have been relaxing and watching House and just plain enjoying ourselves. The only thing we have had a hard time enjoying is that Riley Joy is sick :-(. She came down with a fever yesterday morning and has been sick ever since. She is quite a handful... but it looks like her fever might finally be gone. Unfortunately we had to miss church today.
Riley Joy is so very cute :-). We must have another video chat with my family today.
