Last year was our first Christmas as newlyweds. You know, as a little girl you dream of getting your house all set up, cookies in the oven, music playing, getting the whole family together to celebrate. Well, lets just say that last year it was a miracle that a tree even got set up. And I didn't have time to make Christmas cookies or decorate the rest of the house. Instead, the couple weeks before Christmas I was trying to fit all my clients in and take care of Caleb's health before I took a couple weeks off to have throat surgery. My surgery was scheduled for the Monday before Christmas. So I knew that turkey dinner was going to be out of the question. The sad thing was that Caleb's knee flared the weekend before. So, the week of our first Christmas as a married couple, I had a tube sticking out of my swollen neck as Caleb was in a wheelchair.
All to say, we dreamed of this year being different. Bad news: Caleb is flared up again. Good news: At this point it really isn't as bad as last year.
For the most part we knew it would be a low key Christmas. Caleb has been flaring up in his hip and toes for almost a few months now. In fact, I have had to drive him to and from work every day because we have to prevent him from using his feet as much as possible. All to say, we knew we wouldn't be stolling through Peacock Lane this year.
So Friday we took off to have our own little family Christmas, just the two of us. It was so great! We relaxed all day. Caleb had finished reading through the Bible for the second time this year the day before, so he continued reading another book he has been enjoying. As he read, I cooked and cleaned as I listend to music, as I enjoyed an amazing peppermint mocha. Later we ate dinner and watched the movie "The Help." (Which was obviously my choice, but he loved it too!) That day was just what we needed. Down time, together...all day in our PJs and phones in the other room!
Saturday, being Christmas Eve, we decided to have some people over. Caleb has been mentoring a guy who works for him, who had no place to go for Christmas, so he invited him over for dinner and to go to church with us. So I also had my sister Janelle, who is in town, come over. We also had my new friend Sarah, a girl who is in our college group, come join us. It was so fun and relaxing as well! We all watched football and ate....what else could be better?!?! And then we got in our cars and went to our church's Christmas Eve service.
The sad part is that yesterday Caleb's flare-ups started spreading to all his feet versus just his toes. Poor buddy. He is such a tropper though! He really doesn't complain. So we kept putting his feet in a tub of ice water (as we have been doing for months) and he used his cane again to get around, well, the little he walked.
But this morning he was worse. In fact, we were fearful it was going to his ankles, which it looks like it did not happen. That would not be good....I don't know if he would be able to work if that were the case. So, sadly, we stayed home from going to Dad and Diane's today. Although we would have loved to be there, we know it was for the best.
So although this Christmas turned out different than I had thought it would in my head, that is okay. Ya know, I am realizing that's life. I am so glad we at least have each other! These are actually special times.
It is so easy to get caught up in the hype of what our society has made Christmas to be. This year, it was really about thankfulness, simplicity, and peace. Thankfulness because we have each other and this year was better than the last! Simplicity because we have kept things low-key again and really tried to keep the right perspective this holiday season. And peace because Jesus came to give us peace...He is the Prince of Peace!
So now the best part of Christmas dinner...leftovers and more football! :) And then get ready for Janelle to have her boyfriend come stay with us the next few days...should be so fun! So, really, it hasn't turned into what I thougth it would....but then again, we aren't finished yet! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment