Journey of Faith: Christmas Day

Christmas Day dawned sunny and beautiful. I heard Elisha moving around upstairs, so, after getting dressed, I went up and got him out of bed, but left on his cute Christmas PJ's. I grabbed the toddler book story of the very first Christmas and Baka, Elisha and I went into our bedroom and piled under the covers with Papa. (Making this his first Christmas to be awakened by the patter of little feet- across the bed :0) hehe).

I realized belatedly that I had "hidden" the big drum set in our room so Elisha wouldn't see it until we had opened our other presents. I was afraid he'd want nothing to do with anything else if he could get his hands on the "big boom booms." Fortunately he was easily distracted and we were able to get all tucked in together.

So, we snuggled close and read of the most amazing thing that has ever happened on that starry night so long ago. We spoke again about how we were celebrating baby Jesus birthday this day.

Tim's sister and family had given us a breakfast gift basket from Cracker Barrel the night before, so we had a wonderful breakfast of pancakes, fried apples and hot chocolate. Yummy!! As I was fixing breakfast, Elisha wondered over to the living room area. We had set up his new table and chairs for him the night before and I tossed a throw over top of it and placed a couple of his new books and Christmas ornaments on it- trying to keep it under wraps for a little while longer. He removed those items and quickly removed the throw and was so excited to see a table and chairs his own size. He circled around and named all the colors of the new set- excited and amazed that they were his and all in his size :0) We were excited and amazed to find the seats could hold up to 200 pounds :0)

He went over with his "Appa joo" (Apple juice) and sat down, quite content to wait until breakfast was ready. Oh what fun we had- all 3 of us sat at his new table for breakfast. Wish I had a pic to share of that :0)

So, we opened the remaining presents- though Elisha seemed tired of opening gifts.

(I know,,, ????) Tired of presents???

I think he enjoyed Baka's new doggy bed more than she did :0)

One of his gifts was a little piggy bank from some friends of ours at church- along with a small bag of coins.

He enjoyed putting them in a few at a time over the next few days. Then he got to the wee little drum set we got him. Not anything even close to the beautiful set Mamaw and Papaw got, but he was sooo excited when he opened them. (In fact, over the next week as we did Christmas with my family, every time we opened presents, his first question was, "Lya drum?" (Elisha's Drum?) As if he expected to receive his favorite gift every time we opened gifts.... lol

He wanted us to set up the new little drums next to the big drums and he had the time of his life going from one set to the other. Tim and I determined we'd take the little set with us to church so he could play while we are practicing our praise and worship music. It doesn't have a very loud sound, so it shouldn't be too distracting while we are practicing.

The Big Boom Booms from Papa's SLR

Here you can see both drums set up next to each other, him playing the little set.

Little boom booms

Here he is, looking every part the professional drum player, playing the Big Boom Booms.
He enjoys them sooo much, and it is almost eerie some of the beats he'll pick out. One sounds almost like a Russian march. He is able to keep a pretty steady beat and gets all 3 drums and the cymbal going. It is sooo amazing to watch! I have to keep reminding myself he is only 2!!

A very content Mama enjoying her first Christmas with her new family

Around noon we headed over to Mamaw and Papaw's again, this time just us, for Christmas lunch. We thought it would be a simple fare, but Mamaw went all out!! Yummmmy!! Turkey, mashed potatoes, homemade chicken noodles, Cranberry sauce, homemade corn caserole- what a wonderful meal and great time!! We enjoyed spending the time so much with them- such a laid back and relaxed meal- and we even had cake left over from the night before to have for dessert :0)

We left and went home- I WAS going to pack, but ended up napping for a little instead, while Tim helped Papaw install the new wind guard Mamaw got him for his all terrain mule. How nice that is!!

So, eventually, we got all the items packed and ready to go that we would need for our trip to PA to celebrate with my family- Christmas over New Years :0) We packed up the night before with the intention of Mamaw dropping me off at work the next morning and then Tim and Eli picking me up from work (already 1/2 hour closer to Mom and Dad's house) so we could get started a bit earlier and catch the lights at Olgalby in West Virginia on the way to my family's home.