Well- actually...he (Santa) has already been here. We told him we'd help him out this year since he was so busy...and so Geoff is putting some of Parker's gifts together as we speak (or as I type....you know what I mean)...
Parker was running a fever for the first part of the day, so I held true to my vow from yesterday of staying inside all day. (well....except for when I woke up at 6:30 this morning and remembered something that I had forgotten and ran to Wal-Mart while Geoff was getting ready for work and Parker was still asleep...but this was basically before the day started so it doens't even really count..) We had a good day nonetheless. She wasn't really extra fussy or anything like that, but she was having trouble staying asleep, and then you could just tell by her eyes and face that she didn't feel well, and then it's just scary feeling her so warm to the touch. She has only had a fever 1 other time in her life, but this time I am pretty sure it was from her immunizations yesterday. Honestly, it wasn't until after we had left the doctor's office that it dawned on me that we maybe should not have done this check-up 2 days before Christmas. But in my defense...it was originally scheduled for December 18th, but the doctor's office called me to reschedule because our doctor wouldn't be in the office that day and in order to see her, we would need to reschedule...and this was the day. But also- it is important to note that she has really handled all of her many immunizations pretty well and has never gotten a fever from them until this time So anyway- after her afternoon nap, she was back to "normal" (whatever that is). She even stayed in the living room with Geoff while I was in the kitchen preparing some things for tomorrow's lunch.
So anyway- we got her dressed in her outfit for Santa and Christmas morning.
Geoff and I are so excited this year because, although Parker doesn't understand Christmas,...she will understand these new toys at her disposal! So tonight we're getting the camcorder ready to go, and we're going to try to figure out how to get the camera to set to a timer so that we can take a family picture of the 3 of us. Maybe this can be a new tradition. One tradition we are trying out this year is staying home Christmas morning for our own gift exchange. We used to make the rounds to several family member's homes, but this year it will be just the 3 of us...or at least just for the morning. I was going to start our "traditional" breakfast that I'll cook every year, but we're eating lunch at noon so decided against making a big production of breakfast this year. But then there's always next year...I'm not giving it up!
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And so now...for the true meaning of Christmas. Here is the real story of Christmas as sited in Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)
The Birth of Jesus
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
