From the plethora of pictures one can accurately conclude we had a busy Christmas Season! As a prelude to all the events Roland and I shared our first night out in a looooooooooong time, while Papa Larry and Grammie babysat all three chitlins! We joined some old high school buddies, Stan and Summer Keightley, who were celebrating their 10th Wedding Anniversary at a little local café. Ten years ago, Roland had been their best man, and I, the foreign guest from Canada. Their happiness must have got the ball rolling because five months later, Roland and I took the plunge and got hitched as well….ah, 10 years of matrimonial bliss! Anyhoo…what follows is a day by day, play by play of our Holiday Season. Family festivities kicked off with a bang as we celebrated a tasty Christmas Eve dinner at the infamous Los Baez Mexican Restaurant ----(Thank you Papa Larry and Grammie!) where we were joined by my sister in law Aria and her hubby Tim all the way from Sexsmith, Alberta Canada! It has been about a year and a half since we last saw them, so it was so good to catch up on them and of course introduce them to my little man, aka BAM BAM! On Christmas Day morning we had a rare event where all my children slept in until 10 in the morning! Roland and I enjoyed a nice quiet time with the rest of the household, which also included Rod’s son Zach and his girlfriend Leena, who were visiting that day. All of us were blessed as we watched the children open their presents and stockings. Rosemarie showed the most excitement and joy as she had been long awaiting the expected day , then she even had a playmate Leena, who was as delighted to discover her new toys. Judy was a little overwhelmed with all the commotion in the air and preferred to linger in the adjoining dining room, sit at the table and watch from the sidelines…and yell at the Christmas Tree. Jr. basically showed up for the moment and indulged himself in eating the Christmas wrapping paper. He preferred all his sister’s toys to his own, they each being labeled “Not suitable for children under 3 years of age”, and whether believes himself to be more mature than he actually is, has a seed of rebellion in his nature, or just simply likes the color pink, we may never know.
A Christmas Meal was later hosted at my hubby’s brother Eric’s home. Aria, Tim and the grandparents were altogether with us as we celebrated with some rousing Scrabble games. The children opened their gifts from Papa Larry and Grammie, and Aria shared with us some of the baking that she and our sister in law Holly had prepared. Rosemarie and I completed stage two of a gingerbread house, leaving only 3 walls and the roof yet to be frosted and decorated. It was both our first time making a gingerbread house,(all from scratch!) and what a time it was to do it together. I built the foundation and got her going and then she just took over! With some Mike and Ike’s, she made a big red “L” which she said symbolized love, and put yellow gumdrops above a window which she told me was “God’s glory”. Outta the mouths of babes!
On the 26th, (aka Boxing Day in Canada and Australia), Roland, the kiddos and I tried a little shopping, but were defeated by the mobs. Humbled, we went to the grandparents home to fix an evening meal in honor of the arrival of Roland’s other brother Matthew and his wife Holly and their little girl Katelyn, also from Sexsmtih. It was another evening of family fun moments, and of course, getting the two babies together was also a hoot. (Ours is bigger!)
On Wednesday the 27th, Matthew and Holly came to visit us at the Wilson Household and we had a nice quiet afternoon, chatting and relaxing. Wednesday night is one of our typical household “church” group nights, and so that particular evenening, we had an amazing time of fellowship, sharing gifts with each other, just basking in the peace of Jesus. We truly have become a family in this home…no common DNA except the blood of our King. Now how cool is that!? I am endlessly amazed!
I don’t remember much of Thursday, but that could be due to the fact of the nausea that I acquired from playing Halo, eating half a giant Toblerone chocolate bar and other sugary candy like substances straight from the pit of that one place right to my midsection…and, oh yes, a poker game that went on for hours and hours into eternity! By the end of the game, my sister in law Holly and I were basically color coding our bids and really not caring what was what. I won, of course, poor Holly, you are no match for me----Heh heh! At this point, I must share the latest testimonial that further proves Junior is definitely a “Mama’s Boy”. During a rousing game of Fusion Frenzy, where my very life was at stake, the sheer intensity of the moment sent me into my heart into an absolute panic. Sensing the magnitude of the situation , and the peril that his mother was is (mostly because his uncle Tim kept killing me off) Junior began to cry on his my behalf, insisting justice! On Friday, we went to the coast. Ahhhhhhhhhh. It was wonderful. Rose and I went with the majority of the Hildebrant clan, and Papa Larry, Roland, Judy and Jr. later joined us for supper at Mo’s seafood restaurant. The weather was fantastic, it was almost windless for about an hour, with only a mist that began to turn into a light rain. Rosemarie had a blast digging for rocks and any special “treasure” she could find. I love the beach…the continual crashing of waves on the shore, the wind, the open air and big sky. It was like I could truly breathe…….deeply and fully, and aware of life and the life source. Of course, after that we had to hit the outlets for the Canadian folks. It was fun to just walk along with Rosemarie’s hand in mine, not really caring about buying anything, but just being still amidst all the hubbub. Peace. After the gang all joined up for dinner, we then headed to Eric’s again for some hang out time. Unfortunately, we neglected to take into account how utterly exhausted we all were…I don’t believe I remember my head hitting the pillow.
Saturday we hosted a brunch, and my hubby made his amazing French Toast with cornflakes. MMMM. Most family folks were there…again it was peaceful and relaxing. I did a little shopping, and that was about it. I don’t remember much of our evening at this point except for wrapping up some presents and such. Sunday, I spent the quiet morning time reflection and gratefulness and let my family sleep in. I called home and talked to my Mom in Canada… and that was good. We then all packed up to head to Roland’s brother Nathan’s house for yet another feast and festive time to celebrate Christmas with them. We met our niece Millie, Nathan and Erin’s newest addition for the first time, and she is absolutely beautiful! And Clara is such a precious big sister, she made for the sweetest welcoming party. Alas, it was a night of mixed emotions as we celebrated the gift of Hope together as one big family, and yet it was also the last few moments we would spend with the Higham’s and the Matthew’s for awhile as they were soon heading back to Canada. I can say, however, that it was truly a beautiful night, rich in peace and beauty and grand moments of awe and wonder. The Spirit was very near, whispering truth and love. A truly magnificent New Year’s Eve. Oh, yes, and I got a new pair of shoes in the whole deal! Thank you Aria, they are wonderful! They mean more than you know!
As for reflection…. I seemed to be on a strange learning stretch in which some detail is being pointed out for me to watch and wait on and just listen. It is difficult to put into words, but there are moments when I just know something so profound is taking place, something small, slightly hidden and yet holds depths and depths of truth and is actually shifting life as we know it? Like an awakening moment, where a puzzle piece of revelation suddenly emerges, illuminating an entire season of your life in perfect clarity. An epiphany, if you will.
Take for instance Rosemarie opening her presents this Christmas. She had come to an age of maturity in which she was actually able to think and wonder and prepare for the Day of Christmas. Each morning she longed for Christmas to be here, asking questions and more questions and more questions. I shared with her what Christmas was about. I also told her that Roland and I were going to give her a gift or so to bless her because we love her. She desired a “Boy Barbie” and I told her that was a wonderful request. Each day, I assured her that Christmas was coming, and asked her to trust me, and that her hope would be fulfilled. She did and waited, for the most part, in joy and peace and expectation. On Christmas morning, she did not greet the day with ambivalence, or reservations or ignorance, but with an absolute knowing that her Mommy got her the desires of her heart and more! She was ready to lay hold of her promise. It just got me thinking…..
Currently we have been in a season of waiting in our life, and truthfully, I have despised the waiting up until now. This Christmas, I got to see a glimpse through my Heavenly Father’s eyes, and was able to appreciate the treasure of it all. The richness, the beauty, the love. It is good. God is so good. And He will do ALL that He has promised. I know it.
