It was quite magical having a real tree in the loungeroom; we have always had plastic trees except when I was too young to remember! Hannah was so excited with all the decorations and ran around draped in tinsel and baubles while Nath put all the lights up before retiring to the couch. He decided he would be more of a hinder than a help as I meticulously adorned the tree with pedantic symmetry!
The tree really was worth the effort, even if I had to vaccum 3 times to get up all the pine needles and tinsel bits. It looks beautiful and smells fresh and lovely. Its fun to shake things up a little and start a new tradition. Now I just have to put a few bits and pieces around the house and it will really start to feel like Christmas.
After decorating the tree, we quickly got ready for VANS (Volunteer Appreciation Night): It was so awesome; really fun to dress up again, so soon after last time (Beck and Seth's wedding) and we even got a special award; the 500 mile club, because we live so far away from the church! Nath was rapt with the map we got and proceeded to study it profusely for the next half hour!
We enjoyed the company of the delightful Erin (see below) and Cam who shared our table and we were stoked when Beck and Seth walked in the door, fresh from their honeymoon! It was faboulous to see them and catch up after missing them for the last 3 weeks! It was a great evening, and we had lots of fun with our new friends from church. Its amazing how at home we feel in this church even though we haven't been here that long, and how many good friends we have made.
Love this pic of Beck, me and gorgeous Ruthie, who is such a sweetheart and has mentored and looked after me since we arrived at Activate.
After Vans, we stopped to pick Hanny up from mum and dads. This was the beautiful image that greeted us when we arrived. Its moments like these, I feel so blessed and amazed by my gorgeous little girl. I could just stare at her for hours. We finally ambled at home at around 12:30 and were settled in bed by 1:00.
Next morning it was so hard to get up for church, but Nathan's dad and his wife were down from NSW and were joining us for the service so we were quite excited. Jen actually knew 2 people from church! She is a beautiful, warm hearted individual who makes friends wherever she goes. We enjoyed the rest of the day with them and Hannah so enjoyed their company, taking to them both as if no time had past at all. Andrew was delighted to be called 'Granddad' for the first time. It was really lovely.
Its funny, at the beginning of the month, I was so unenthused by Christmas but as I spend more time with the people we care about and anticipate the upcoming parties and events, I really feel blessed and priviliged and am truly looking forward to be able to share the meaning of Christmas with Hanny. Every time we ask her what Christmas means, she replies 'Jesus' birthday!' It is so special. I've decided my experience of Christmas really is what I make it. This year I really want to refocus on Jesus, rather than getting caught up in the madness of it all. Its all about God's love for, in and through us to others and I am determined to squeeze as much joy and qulaity time with people we love as I can manage between now and the big day! Tomorrow night we are going to Road to Bethlehem with family and friends and I am really looking forward to it. Can't wait for Hannah to see the story unfold before her and am really happy to be spending time with special people in our lives.
We are so blessed.
P.S. Love this pic with mum and dad, just being silly. P.P.S. Today I went shopping with Hanny and mum and bought new shoes!! yayy!! Is there a better way to end an awesome weekend??
1 comment:
love it rach - wish we could have a real tree... too much sneezing would be on the cards sadly. But yours is sooo pretty!
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