Our Christmas seemed much different than other years. Usually, we have the house smelling like fresh pines and a real tree decorated in the corner of the living room. Normally, we bake cookies and have wrapped gifts under the tree. Other years, we set up the nativity scene by the large picture window. BUT ... everything was different this year. We lived in the basement since August and even though it took a lot of holding back on my part, we did not decorate the basement for Christmas. We hoped to move right before this special holiday and so why try to move those pretty greens and keep the presents looking good through all the hustle and bustle???
In a perfect little world, we would move and then go for a Christmas tree and quick put up some holiday decor and lite the candles and play the Christmas music loudly and softly! :) But my world is not always so perfect! But it is wonderful!!!!!!!! We moved on Monday, December 21!!! I woke up that morning thinking that we would clean out the kitchen cabinets and move in some kitchen gear. But when the inspector said that afternoon that we could move in and because my whole family was available to help move the bigger, heavier things ... we moved!!! The closet organizers got put in place just in time!!!
LaVern and Fannie Lynn brought us pizzas and wings and we had a big pizza party in our kitchen that night before we split the men and boys into groups. Some went to the neighbors to load up our things that were in storage there. Some went to the basement to bring home our beds and clothes. The ladies and little children all stayed here while we tried to put things into place. It was a blast! Stuff seemed to arrive all at once. Guys carried in the furniture while I tried to tell them where to go with it. John Mike put our beds together at 9 PM. It couldn't have gone better!!! Things were everywhere but we got all our belongings moved back home in a few short hours. Many thanks to my family and Mike's parents!!! Also, many thanks to Martha Rose for caring for Austin most of the day!!!
Packing up in the basement. Matthew sweeping up the carpet crews mess.
The house was still dirty except for the bedroom walls and flooring. Cleaners showed up early Tuesday morning. I made the kids some simple breakfast and then Mom drove them to school. We need to make arrangements for the bus to pick up the kids here now again! Three ladies cleaned the walls and floors and all the windows. They cleaned the bathrooms and wiped down all the kitchen cabinets outside. (We did the inside of the cabinets on Monday when we moved some things in.) Our closets got things hung up but now I need to put them where we want things to be. So much needs done yet but one box at a time!!! Mom and Jody cleaned up the basement a little so that the children can now go downstairs without coming back up all dusty and dirty. The window blinds got all hung! The plumber came to do a quick adjustment to the kitchen sink. Many thanks to Marlene for loving and caring for Austin today!!! I have the best friends!!! The new couches arrived late that afternoon! They look great!
Wednesday, the kids had Christmas parties and caroling to do at school. Mike took them to school and I picked them up. It was wonderful to drop by and wish everyone Merry Christmas! Mike's mom came over and helped with some more unpacking! The day went so fast!!! It's great to be home! It was so thoughtful for Sherry to bring us a warm, cooked supper! Thanks Sherry!
First night in her new room! And us out grabbing a few things at Target before Christmas Eve!
Thursday, Christmas Eve, we got more things organized and put in place. We even did a little decorating for Christmas!!! We went out to get a few house items like a shower curtain, containers, waste can, etc.. The crowds were crazy and it was great to be back home! I hadn't thought much about our supper plans. Most people have a nice dinner on Christmas Eve but we went to the cellar for some soup! :) I'm so happy to be back home and use our canning goods!!! I did get some shrimp earlier that day that we cooked up! We had lots of sweets to enjoy and the night was relaxing and wonderful in our new home! Mike said no to getting a Christmas tree. That was sad but we still had a wonderful, beautiful Christmas Eve!!! We sat around the living room and read about the birth of Jesus! We exchanged gifts with the children!!! How exciting! While Ashlyn was napping that afternoon, Mike brought her gift home. She was blind folded and taken outside before it got dark to see her gift!!!! She loves it!!!
Mike and his brother Ervin made this adorable little garden shed/playhouse for Ashlyn!!! She will spend hours playing in this little house!!!
Mom, Dad & Ritchie dropped by for a cup of coffee and to say hello. We called Matt and Lena and told them to bring the boys over for a few small gifts we got for them. It was late till we all got to bed but what a great time we had!!!
Friday ... CHRISTMAS MORNING!!! It was so exciting to finally have Christmas Day arrive! We ate some breakfast and watched a video clip on the nativity scene. Then, we packed up some clothes and headed for the cabin!!! Who would want to leave when we just moved but my family was having Christmas up at Dad's cabin and we were not missing out!!! We arrived in time for supper and a fun night of games and laughter! Saturday, we exchanged gifts with the children! We always have huge breakfasts and lots of food! The kids played while we adults played lots of games! Sunday we had devotions and another yummy breakfast and then we headed back home. It was nice to be home before dark.
(I'll post pictures of our family gatherings on another post!!!)
It was so nice to be able to pull into our new garage and unload our things right outside the house door! We are now spoiled and very blessed! :)
We've been doing lots of laundry, unpacking boxes, cleaning, organizing, and getting used to having much more space!!! Our family is really enjoying our new home!!! You should stop by to visit us! :) We really hope to bless others with our home by serving and hosting! The first night we slept here, we went from room to room and prayed a blessing over the whole house! We know that things here on earth are temporary. We know that God has blessed us! May to God be all the glory given!
