Christmas 2008 is here!

Our celebration started mid day yesterday on Christmas Eve when I left the office bound to get home and dig in with the family. It was taking some time since I just came out of several days in bed with a vicious cold virus that seemed to go one after another in a chain of events ending with yours truly. I'm better, just with a nagging cough.

Enjoyed just coming home to the kids, the wifey, the parents, and John and Donna ready for some celebration over the next 24 hours. We started with some mid day movies and hanging out and got ready for some Christmas Eve Worship Celebrations at both my fathers parish St. Patricks Church and our beloved Grace Church. St. Patricks was slammed with worshippers in their 4pm mass and there were so many folks present that I stood in the aisle with my daughter, along with my Dad, and Jenn and Sean found a seat next to the Bachmanns. Sweet message, mass, and production put on by the children of the parish. Caught up with the Bachmann Clan briefly but all very sweet to tell my dear best friend Rudy Merry Christmas along with his whole family. We were then off (in a rush) to pick up my mom, John, and Donna to run to Grace Church for family Christmas Worship.

We arrived just before 6pm and the crowds were starting to motor in. Met many families I have not met before and enjoyed hymn singing and reflecting on the birth of our savior Jesus Christ! It was great and there was some interaction time with our Pastor and our children at the front. Ended with a candle lighting and prayer. Sweet time and my heart was finally just jumping into Christmas celebration and joy. We ran home for the next phase of the celebration - Mom prepared the Christmas meal...!

All of us went across the drive and stayed at the parents with sweet fellowship, some wine tasting, and a delightful rib eye roast. Delicious meal and great time. After dinner, it was time to get the kids tucked for bed and ready for the deliveries by St. Nick. Before bed, we prayed together as family in front of the tree and enjoyed praising the birth celebration of our Lord and Savior. We were continuing with the evenings call - Jesus is the light of the world! Kids we're stashed into bed by 10pm and then Jenn and I just enjoyed some time together before crashing for the early morning wake up.

I crawled out of bed before 6am and made some coffee just enjoying the peace of the morning and the true significance of our Christmas celebration. Just about the time I began to pour some fresh brew, my daughter Amber sprang down the stairs with the most genuine smile and joy ready asking to approach the tree where the gifts were waiting. We both agreed to wait until the balance of the family joined and it did not take long for Amber to make the rounds of wake up calls including walking to across the drive to wake the balance of the group. Presents were opened at will and the kids were delighted as well as some of adults. Jenn and I for the first year elected to gift the balance of the family but not ourselves and it did not change the joy of the morning celebration at all.

We generally lazed around all morning and just enjoyed the day. We finally made a road trip up the coast just to get out. We saw some beautiful coast line and some elephant seals. Just good times together. We are home as I write this making some burritos and again ready for some more rest.

God is faithful in our lives. We have so much to be thankful for. And the whole beginning of the Gospel in the birth of Jesus can actually be overwhelming if you let it... Overwhelming with joy and total appreciation!

Merry Christmas to all! Jesus is the light of the world!

God bless you all.

Daughter of Jacob

When you say it this way, it sounds a little scripture like...

Meet my great niece Sienna. She has her mothers eyes and her fathers nose and lips. She is a beautiful little girl.

My sister, Jacobs mom, recently visited and sent us this picture. Jacob and his wife Jillian are doing well in the new home of Portland, OR.

Share the Road

Share the road with family and friends!

Enjoyed a ride with my family this weekend on the road. Sean, Debbie, Donna, Mom, Dad, and myself enjoyed a 35 mile ride essentially around the vineyard areas of Orcutt and back along the beach and home. Great little clip and so encouraged with my parents health and joy in cycling. Everyone in this group has been riding most of their lives and it really shows.

Took a picture from the back of the group as we were pedaling 21mph with both parents in the line.

Great time together this weekend.