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...really special this year. It always is, but I want to remember the why's and how's of each year. This one seems to be marked with the words 'intentional' 'minimal' 'family' 'relaxing' 'time to recoup from sickness still' and even those moments of 'magical' we all hope to experience and accomplish.

There really is something about taking out those boxes and bins from the basement to adorn the house in decor unlike any other season. And that manger scene, it gets me every time. What a God!

Gabe was home for quite the vacation and it's true I shed some tears the night before we all returned to reality. I enjoy my husband, his company, the flavor he brings, the tear-completely-upside-down to routines I create to keep myself sane that somehow he's the only one permitted to throw to the wayside for extended days at a time just because it means he is home with me, with us. He let me sleep in every.single.day of 'his' vacation, and I even woke up one morning where I've never seen him more excited! He made oatmeal bake- his own rendition and it was awesome!

Of course I managed to pick up 'something' at the Christmas Eve service but when you have nowhere to go and a husband and family to care for you, what difference does it really make anyways?!

We purged the basement together (it really is one of our most favorite things to do as a couple!), played outside (minus Boaz and me), visited with friends, and even had family (spur of the moment) join us for the New Year!

It was a blessing of a day. It was a blessing of a time together as a family. And now is even a blessing as we ease and slip back into the 'norm' again and figure out the day.

Some pictures from our special day, after of course our special annual Christmas Eve service followed by milk, cookies, and a reading of the Christmas story before bed.

Chunky started to pay attention once this was pulled out. He LOVES bananas!

Enjoying 'purposed' and traditional stocking treats from when Gabe was a little tot. Works well since we do our special big breakfast a bit later.

The 'blue' hue was  by accident.

And the most sincere thank you to SO many lovely Christmas cards which I absolutely love to receive. So many dear faces and families, some with much history, some with hardly any at all and yet a special connection at Christmas time. Faces to remember to pray for. Faces to exclaim proudly to others, "This is our family!"

This year found me again, behind, then thinking maybe I could pull of a 'New Year's card', and now just really planning on being more intentional next year! Sorry Mom O, I can't bring myself to do the old Valentine's Day or Saint Patty's one, yet, of which I used to laugh at you for. Now I can absolutely understand and relate!