. . . were very busy. We were so busy doing things, that I didn't have a good time set aside to actually blog about what we were doing. Today, I'll try to give a slightly abbreviated version of what we did.
Walk Through Bethlehem (Dec. 12)
Last year we had the opportunity to experience an event called Walk Through Bethlehem and we were looking forward to finding another one (a little closer) this year. This year, we joined up with our friends, Teri, Marc and Sam and headed to a nearby church for their presentation of what Bethlehem was like at Jesus's birth. It was amazing! The girls got to sign in for the census, try dried fruit, play musical instruments and even push their own way around a grape press. There were Roman soldiers, tons of little shops, musicians, a storyteller sharing stories from the Old Testament, hot cider and a wonderful manger scene depicting Jesus's birth. It was a wonderful night. The biggest problem was the weather - it was SO COLD!!!! Everyone was shivering. When we got back in the car, the thermometer read 31 degrees. BRRRRRRRRRR. But we got to come home, but the kids in beds and hang out with Marc and Teri in our hot tub. It was a great night with friends.
Children's Christmas Musical Performance (Dec. 14)
This year, Trinity was selected to be an angel in the children's Christmas musical. She did a wonderful job learning the words to all the songs during the fall rehearsals and learning her angel lines. She is quite the music-loving child!
Kalyn's Preschool Christmas Program (Dec. 17)
I always love the preschool programs because they always make me laugh, and my children are usually a cause of my laughter. I realized a few years ago, that I couldn't truly correct them during the performance, so I'd just have to enjoy them. Kalyn spent the first song facing the wrong way, part of the second song with her hands inside her sleeves (as in the left hand in the right sleeve and the right hand in the left sleeve), then she actually began singing some. The funniest thing was one child from one of the 4-year old classes. He sang a little bit of the first song and then when they starting mentioning Jesus (imagine that - from a Baptist church preschool), he put his hands over his ears and began yelling out something. Craig was able to pick out "Santa, Santa" after the second song of chanting. After the third song, Mom came up and retrieved him from the stage. All in all, it was a very fun and enjoyable performance.
Xander - Craig's personal video roadie!
Craig & Shannon Went Carolling with the Youth (Dec. 17)
This was an amazing night. Partly due to the fact that I really wasn't looking forward to going just a few hours beforehand. However, I was so glad that I did!! We had a huge student turnout and the people I met were so special. I met one couple who had been married 40 years and she was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. She had the sweetest smile and they didn't let go of each other the entire time we were there.
Our Youth Sunday School Class Party (Dec. 13)
We decided to do a joint party and dinner with the senior high class and we are kind of glad we did - we had a great time hanging out with the one student who attended from our class (giving a shout-out to Josh right now!!) and all the other seniors. We had some absolutely delicious food - Craig made a roast - and had a great white elephant gift exchange. We ended up with a book of Mad Libs (brings back the memories) and a noisy ornament that sings.
Josh and his white elephant gift - a tattoo sleeve
Numerous Golden Bells of Atlanta Performances (Dec. 1, 5, 6, 8 & 22)
I am part of a community handbell group called the Golden Bells of Atlanta. It is a great opportunity to challenge myself musically and meet some interesting and great people. Since people often associate bells with Christmastime, December has become our main concert season. Our performance schedule has been scaled down since a few years ago, which makes it easier to enjoy.
Our Other Sunday School Class Party (Dec. 20)
We love the class that we were in before we decided to teach the junior class. Some of our dearest friends are there and we do miss our fellowship time with them. So, when our friends asked if we would host the Sunday school party at our house, we were glad to oblige. We had yummy food and a great game of Catch Phrase. The funniest moment for me was as I got the girl team to guess my word, I turned to pass the word-giving gadget to our teacher Charlie (a very sweet and gentle man). However, he could tell that time would be out in just a second, so he just looked at me, not taking it and therefore gaining a point for the guy team. Very un-Charlie-istic of him, but a source of much laughter.
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