We put our tree up two weeks before Christmas, and even though it was quite small, we still had to remove a couch to fit it. The kids, obviously, were ecstatic about it. As for myself, I would rather not make more of a mess. I know I sound like Scrooge, but there is only a certain level of mess that I can handle. And the tree put us over the limit since we are currently working on putting in a bathroom. You can see the drywall propped up against the fireplace, and next to that, there are some 2 by 4s. Behind that, you can see the little plugs in the wall from where we sprayed in insulation. (By the way, we got our heating bill, and it was substantially lower than what Grandma and Grandpa used to pay over the winter. And the front door blew open all day or all night two days that month.)Well, two days after Christmas, Mom helped me take this tree down, and we have a beautiful empty space on the floor. Which will soon be filled by the couch that was there before.
Aside from my bad attitude about the tree, we had an incredible Christmas. Family parties, visits from neighbors and friends, and real-life Santas whose consideration for us was a miracle.
We have started a new property management company, and this week of Christmas was extremely stressful with basement floods and huge snowstorms. Throughout this time, the Lord showed his love to me in so many little ways. I had one woman who should have hated me call me a friend. That very same day, my aunt Julia, at the annual Christmas eve party, gave me a sampler to hang on my wall that says "What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?" I will hang that carefully on my wall and remember the tender mercies of the Lord in teaching me the power of kindness to break through barriers.
One gift that made me laugh in delight was a bottle of spray air. Our computer is getting filled with dust (not surprising, noting our circumstances.) A few nights before Christmas, Joseph and I spent an hour or so looking for the can of spray dust that we KNOW we have downstairs somewhere. We couldn't find it. So when I saw that Aunt Vikki had included in her basket a can of spray air, I knew someone cared about me. Thanks, Vikki.
I also received a state of the art wheat grinder from my mothers. I can't wait to cook more fresh and healthy this year. If I can control some of the clutter.
We received so many thoughtful gifts and so many people sacrificed on our behalf. Thanks to all those who worked so hard to make it a fun time for us and our little ones. We love you!
