The Day After

Christmas Eve was beautiful. Miranda’s mom came and spent the night with us, and she joined us for dinner, and then we went to Journey for a Christmas Eve service, which was beautiful. We sang songs of praise, and Mike delivered a great reminder about the reason we celebrate in the first place. Afterwards, we came home, let the girls stay up a little later than normal, then it was off to bed in hopes that Santa might actually stop by the Andress home. (Apparently, he lost his naughty list… because he was good to the whole lot of us.)

Miranda’s mom, whom the girls affectionately call Nona, slept with Jordyn. She told us that Jordyn woke up at least four times during the night and asked, “Do you think Santa has come yet?” I am thinking have an adult security guard in the room with my Jordyn is a good idea.

After a whirlwind of wrapping paper, gifts were unwrapped, and the girls were playing with entirely too many toys. Needless to say, they were on overload, but they were having a wonderful time. Midmorning came, and we got everyone dressed and said goodbye to Nona. She went to Pensacola, and Miranda, the girls, and I left for my parents’ home in Enterprise.

We joined my parents; my Aunt Elaine and Uncle Leon; my sister, her husband, their three kids, and my sister’s mother-in-law; and my brother and his wife. Needless to say, the house was chaotic! We enjoyed a wonderful time with family, I just hate that it was so brief. Somehow or another, we need to find ways to slow down.

The best present I received was one from Jordyn last night. I was cuddling her before bed, and I asked if she had had a great Christmas. She told me that had, and when I asked her what the best part of her Christmas had been, she responded without hesitation.

“Going to church last night as a family.”

We are trying so hard to teach our girls the real Reason for Christmas. Maybe, just maybe we are succeeding.