Monday, December 26, 2011

Delight

Everyone should experience the sheer delight of a child.


image credit

Maybe, when you're a parent you do experience child-like joy, just a bit.

Brad and I were almost giddy getting things ready for our girls' Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, at the end of the service,our pastor put up this question on the overhead:
Have you paused long enough at the manger--considering Jesus--to be filled with a joy that is greater than your stress?
I try hard to fill the anxious with thankful--with joy. It's hard. Christmas day with our girls? Pure delight and joy! For them, and for me.

1098. Two girls, in their Christmas jammies, sprinting to their new aprons to go with...

1099. ...their brand new play kitchen!


1100. New books to read.


1101. New pram to push babies.


1102. Playing with cousins.

1103. Adoration from grandparents.

1104. Two girls running to the tree to find a spot for their new ornaments.

1105. The girls respecting the "one finger" rule with the Christmas tree (still standing and all ornaments in tact).
________________________________________________________________________________

1105. Snuggles with Hadley at 6AM.

1106. Some answers and solutions to the girls' health issues.

1107. Going for a run by myself, without the stroller, for the first time since the girls were born--it's been so long, I've lost the charger for my ipod.

1108. Pandora on my phone for my run.

1109. Hanging the girls' artwork in our house.

1110. Playdate with Anna and Jill.

1111. A Christmas Eve service that worked with the girls' schedule.

1112. Watching the girls "do" imaginary play.

1113. Play in a pirate boat that keeps an empty cardboard box permanently in my living room, but provides hours upon hours of endless fun.


1114. Reading Mandy's sweet list of blessings through the holiday travel with her family.

Sharing with Ann and Jen.

 

9 comments:

signingcharity said...

I have three girls, and the joy at hearing them say, "presents!" was amazing. I am glad the girls enjoyed Christmas, their aprons and kitchen!

Miss Megan said...

Precious!! It looks like they absolutely loved it!
My husband and I too were a bit giddy getting ready for Christmas this year...and my hubby woke up well before the girls and essentially woke them up after about 20 minutes because he just couldn't wait any longer for them to see their presents! How funny is that?!
So glad you had a very Merry Christmas!!

Renee said...

They're adorable! Thanks for sharing their joy with all of us. Blessings!

MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs) said...

I am so glad your girls are loving their kitchen...and those aprons are just the icing on the cake...adorable!!!

I think so often what an amazing blessing it is to experience the joy of childhood all over again, certainly one of the biggest gifts of being a parent. :)

And I was so surprised to see one of your last points of thanks. It brought sweet tears to my eyes as I read it before bed last night. :) Thank you, Sweet Julia, for your beautiful inspiration over this past year and your friendship. I appreciate all of you so much.

Wishing you many, many continued blessings in the New Year!

championm2000 said...

What a wonderful list of Christmas blessings!

Heather said...

Oh how cute! I love their pajamas!! It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! I agree that there really is nothing like the joy and excitement of a child(or children!)

Unknown said...

I love this list, Julia. It just simply warms my heart.

Amy Sullivan said...

Oh, that Pooh quote. Such a wise little bear. We've been having a great time in our new play kitchen too...cooking ice cream cones and putting pretend pizza in funny places. Good stuff. Happy holidays, friend.

Corinne Ritz said...

I LOVE Pooh! Also, I LOVE your list. That was a really good list! So many things made me happy. I really loved seeing the pictures of your girls experience the magic of Christmas. That is joyful for sure.