Countdown to Christmas 2025… Day 24

Well, here we are. 

Day 24. 

With all the emotions and excitement, all the last minute dishes to prepare and the surrender that yet again, we did not “even out” the number of gifts but the assurance that the love was equally distributed around the circle. 

I spent the day with the band of brothers and little miss yesterday. It was a constant dance to keep them entertained without screens and heading off any sibling clashes, but we made it and walked away with some treasures to add to the memories. 

I took sugar cookie dough just in case there were some takers on it one more year. It was a joy to see our grandson who seems more man than child these days lobbying for his turn to roll out the dough. 

There was way too much icing and sprinkles added but for Christmas, we set aside the dietary rules. 

I had to force them outside to play and then I couldn’t break it up when it was time to head back in. 

At one point I went downstairs to turn off forgotten lights and stood in front of their family tree. Every year I paint an ornament for each one. I haven’t followed through on so many things in my life, but this one has lasted and I am so grateful. 

I looked at my efforts to paint a design on a frame, the uneven handwriting of the names and year, the sweet faces from little to big and I had a moment. Each Christmas, I seem to put this off to the last minute and then sweat out trying to paint them and find a photo that fits the frame and brings a memory for them of the year.

So here is to Christmas 2025. 

In a blink we will be hauling paper out to the bin and trying to use up leftovers. 

But for today, we will soak in the time with family and be thankful to God for another year together. 

I pray your Christmas holds moments of joy, peace in the hard places and hope for the future. 

Merry Christmas friends.

You are so dearly loved.  <3