Keeping Up with the Jones': Christmas FIRSTS!

There are several firsts for my family this year. This is the FIRST year we have hosted Christmas in our home. Tre's mom, dad, sisters, aunt, uncle, cousin, and granny all came to stay with us last night. They have some family traditions and staying in the same house for Christmas Eve is one of them. WE had a great time eating and celebrating with our white elephant gift exchange last night and more food and gifts this morning! We went to church together for the FIRST time at Clearwater First Church of the Nazarene where we had our FIRST outdoor Christmas Eve service. It was beautiful outside! There were stars in the sky and the praise band sang some beautiful carols. This is the first Christmas where my family is spread all over the world. Sarah, Casey, and Kieren are all in Africa and my parents spent the morning packing their suitcases to go and visit them. They left this afternoon and should arrive in Cape Town, SA tomorrow night. I'm so blessed to have a wonderful family. I miss them terribly, but enjoyed talking to them all on the phone. One of the more obvious FIRSTS was Kylie! The funny thing is that she missed half of it. While the rest of us opened our gifts this morning, she slept! We had to set all her gifts aside and we had a special Kylie Christmas after breakfast. She enjoyed ripping the paper and putting everything in her mouth. Santa brought her a ball that moves and sings, it was a HUGE hit!

As the "kids" of all ages are playing with their toys and the women are in the kitchen cooking, I cannot help but be thankful. It has been a year of ups and downs and crazy circles in between, but God has been in control the whole time. I am so thankful for His guidance and LOVE that have transformed my life.