The Dwyer Patch: New Traditions

This December we stayed here in Houston the whole month and did not travel at all. This was a big deal for us as we always go to New Orleans for Christmas. While we missed our extended family (big time), it just felt right to start this new tradition of spending Christmas day in our home. Another tradition we started was adding a second advent calendar into the mix. We have a traditional 25 day count down calendar to christmas day but this year we added 25 small little envelopes that the kids opened each day. Each day we read a new story from our Jesus Storybook Bible and really tried to have an intentional Christmas. By intentional, I mean keeping Christ in Christmas and retail out.

Brian and I were amazed to see such a massive change in Logan from last year to this year. He was 100%, completely obsessed with Santa Clause. He wanted to read and re-read any book we had about Santa, reindeers, snow, lights, sleighs, stars, Jesus, and trains (b/c all trains do end up at the north pole). He would keep count of his good deeds and how he was on Santa's good list while informing Catherine (and others) when they were on the naughty list.

Brian's parents came up for three days the week before Christmas and it was such a fun visit. We cooked all sorts of delicious meals and did various holiday things. We went to Zoo Lights and my children were completely entranced. They were so into MiMi and Popi's visit; it was almost like Brian and I did not exist. Which I was completely OK with.

All in all, it was a beautiful Christmas and we are very thankful for so many things.