Our Adoption Story: Christmas Eve and Day 2014

Christmas Eve was spent at a beautiful candlelight service at First Baptist. It is always one of our family's most meaning Christmas experiences. This year was especially special having all seven of us together each holding a candle at the end as we sang Silent Night. Then it was over to the Colee's for a Christmas Eve feast and a fun sing along time.

When we arrived home, we got the kids in the pajamas as quickly as possible despite their excitement! Beth had arranged an amazing fort in the playroom for all of the kids to sleep in with her.

On Christmas morning, it was so fun watching them open presents. Will kept saying Santa did "gude." He was really pumped about a bow and arrow set that he got. He couldn't wait to shoot his bow with Dow at the farm! Hope was excited about her dinosaur excavation kit and Lena loved her girly accessories.

After the Christmas story, a few books about Jesus Birthday, and a Happy Birthday Jesus cookie cake, the kids played most of the morning. After lunch, it was off to the lake for Christmas dinner and time with family.

This was a bittersweet Christmas for me. My Daddy died on May 10 which was the same day that Lena and Will arrived home. I had not had time to grieve but this Christmas brought a flood of tears and memories. For those of you missing loved ones, my heart goes out to you - it is hard!