“‘Every Christmas is better than the Christmas before,’ Laura thought. ‘I guess it must be because I’m growing up.'” Laura Ingalls Wilder, By the Shores of Silver Lake
We began opening gifts at about 6:30. Rich and I sat on the couch and the children passed around the presents. It started out relaxing and got more and more happy and rowdy as we went along.
We loved hearing the childrens’ excited exclamations as they opened gifts that they wanted, or hadn’t even dreamed of, that became their very own.
Little by little the living room filled with empty wrappings and all too soon, the gifts were opened.
We ate lots of early morning chocolate.
In the midst of the craziness, I looked up from opening my own gifts, and saw my baby with his back turned away from the activity, spending time…..in quiet reflection?
My brother David sent each of the children their very own Hallmark Christmas card, with money inside. The cards came days ago…and I promptly put them in the tree for Christmas morning. The children were all just as excited for their cards as they were for their presents.
I got a picture of Caleb’s face, as he opened his card and found his money.
This is what our living room looked like after we opened all our presents;
Caleb got a doctor kit and gave Seth a check up. See the bandage on Seth’s ankle?
Rich and I were engaged on Christmas Eve, when I was eighteen years old. Sometimes it’s hard to remember the two of us as a couple, now that we are parents of six children. But, days like today help us to think back on the journey of our married life, and enjoy all the past memories; the year we were engaged, the first Christmases, and all the ones after. And, thanks be to God, the years keep getting better.
The four older boys all got Star Wars Light Sabers. Caleb got to try his out with his Papa. I took this picture as I was still sitting by Rich’s side, by the fireplace;
I honestly do not mind in the least, getting kitchen equipment for Christmas. I would actually rather receive those things as gifts, because I get very uptight when I spend money on major purchases, for myself. Rich went to Williams Sonoma and got help picking me out a set of beautiful pots and pans. The two of us sat indian style on the kitchen floor and opened every single box together. The lids were as shiny as mirrors, the pots are heavy and beautiful. I NEEDED these pots, so very much, with all the cooking I do each day.
I’m especially happy with my pasta pot, I’ve always wanted one that has the colander inserted right in it. Now, when the pasta is done all I have to do is lift it up out of the water.
I also received my very first set of deadly kitchen knives. Today I chopped up a lemon in no time, and I wasn’t even rushing! I also sliced a loaf of bread, easily, without crushing it. And, chopping my onion for the spanish rice I made for lunch, was a breeze!
When my mom was here for Thanksgiving, doing most of the cooking, she told Rich to get me pots and pans, and good knives, and he did. He did a Really Good Job. I’ll be using these nice things, with pleasure, every day.
Davy got a pogo stick;
Grace got a new horse, and saddle. The toy sort, of course.
Sethie got all these toys , he’s been such a bright spot of joy in our day today, on his very first Christmas.
He loves the knob that he’s holding on to in the picture, most of all. He eats it.
I don’t know why I didn’t get Seth a new stuffed dog, everyone else got one;
Jake and Ethan got a set of swords, to inspire them to be knightly.
It’s been a very special sort of day. Jacob said he can’t believe how fast Christmas is going by.
Caleb asked me, right after he opened all his gifts, “How many more days until the next Christmas?”
I enjoyed watching Grace quietly curled up on the couch, reading her new book.
And Ethan & Jacob, busy at the table for hours, putting together lego sets.
Ethan announcing, just a bit ago, “I SO love my presents!”
Jacob getting annoyed at the song Seth’s new schoolbus plays. Rich saying that someday we would miss those sounds….of annoying plastic children’s toys, at Christmas.
Making my spanish rice for lunch, in my new pretty pot. After I spent time, deciding which one to use.
Hearing David practicing his pogo stick, in the basement. Having him come near, and hug me, without saying a word, but I understood, it was a happy “thank you”.
Seth, everything about him, even the bath I had to give him, because he got into the peanut butter jar.
Laughing with my husband, and feeling cozy and loved and together.
Talking with Dad, and with Mom, and with my brother, on the phone. Thinking about Christmases past as a child, with my own parents and siblings, and remembering those magical feelings that children know, and understand.
My nap, with my head resting cozily on my new tempurpedic pillow (another thoughtful gift from Rich).
And, sipping my Godiva hot chocolate, with melty marshmallows. In a shamrock green fiesta mug, of course!
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” I John 4:9-11
Remembering God’s gift of his Son to us, so many years ago, beginning as a baby in a manger, I send each of you love and happy thoughts on this Christmas day. I love you, because God first loved me……I am thankful for the ways my friends here have loved me back, and touched my life with such sweet words, thoughts, and prayers.
Jesus came to earth the first time, as a baby, and won’t it be beyond wonderful when God sends Jesus back to earth, again? “Even so, COME, Lord Jesus.” Not as a baby this time, but as a conquering KING. “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7
Thanking our God for the past, enjoying the present, and looking forward to the future He has in store for us, Merry Christmas!
Love, Shanda
Good to be Home 
If only you knew how fast my heart was beating just now when I saw your new pots and pans and knives – SHANDA! I am soooo excited for you that I can hardly express it! I received three wusthof knives for my wedding (chopping, paring, and serated) and have used them every single day that I have been in my home (I even travel with them to visit our families, because I can’t live without them now). A couple of months ago, Terry found a good deal on a huge stockpot and I use that thing at least twice a month (I make tons of chicken stock and I used to have to make small batches constantly). GOOD pots and pans (and knives) are a wonder that can truly be appreciated by one who uses them constantly!!! I have to go now as T and I are packing for a last minute trip down south (!!!), but good to see these pictures and MERRY CHRISTMAS! Happy New Year, too, because it will be past then before I have access to a computer again.Love,Angie
You made me cry happy tears! It all sounds wonderful!I also enjoy kitchen.household things as gifts! I received many nice items today but one of my favorites is the thermometor I need to make homemade yogurt! LOL
Happy Christmas to you and yours. Such special memories!
Sounds like such a happy time! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you! I loved seeing all your pictures and the happy faces on the kids. What a great knife set and pots and pans…you’ll be able to make lots of yummy things. My sister-in-law made homemade marshmallows and we’ve been enjoying hot chocolate with yummy homemade marshmallows. What a special treat! Enjoy your weekend.
That looks like a wonderful Christmas. I especially enjoyed seeing Seth getting a checkup from the “doctor.”
What great Christmas gifts! I always love the practical gifts – many times even more than the romantic ones. You will love your pasta pot – I use mine at least once a week and don’t know what I would do without it now. I also love the knife (knive) set that I received 2 years ago…you are right a good knife is such a time saver. Merry Christmas!
You are the most blessed woman in the world. Thank you for sharing your Christmas with us. 🙂
a beautiful moment u wif ur family! full of warm n love n happiness. Merry Christmas
That is a GREAT picture of you and rich!! You should frame it and hang it somewhere.Love Love Love William Sonoma!! Great taste!Blessings,Angie Warren
Merry Christmas, Shanda! Thank you for taking the time to share your family’s Christmas with us. Reading your blog was a nice way to end my own happy Christmas Day! God bless you all tonight.Your friend, Celia
Wonderful Christmas gifts! ~I love a good knife. We have Hinkel knives here, but we need to remind the boys to keep them sharpened because we use them so much. I ♥ Williams and Sonoma! Your kids look like they were thrilled! Merry Christmas ~still! 🙂
I am so glad to share some Christmas excitement with your family! I really enjoy the “after” living room picture. Merry Christmas!
Can’t wait for the wedding feast of the Lamb, to see Him there, standing as though slain. I think it will be terrible and wonderful in the best ways. You have such a heartwarming blog; thanks for sharing the scripture and worshipful thoughts. Merry Christmas!!
A blessed sweet warm Christmas. What a present! So happy for you and the kitchen things…it makes a world of difference to get nice tools to use!
Glad you had such a wonderful Christmas. I especially enjoyed the shot after you were through opening packages — now time to enjoy all those wonderful gifts!
What a wonderful Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you all too!! I’m glad you had a wonderful Christmas!
You’re so blessed. 🙂 I know you know that- but I want to remind you how blessed you are. 😉
What a wonderful, God-honoring, love infused, unhurried, edifying Christmas celebration we enjoyed yesterday here in CA. I awoke, relishing my lovely wife and hoping/praying that she slept well last night. I rarely know, as I usually sleep soundly. So, desiring to slip in some precious time amidst the blogs of people we love dearly, I indulge in the precious times of your family. I laugh at the wonderful view of packaging tornado aftermath with Seth in foreground and vacuum in background. I tear up and pray over you and Rich, asking for the fullness of His blessings as you seek to serve, with God’s strength and guidance, those He has entrusted to you. I relate to the huge difference that good cookware makes and thank God for moms who wisely suggest such practical blessings. So many reasons to give thanks always. But my blessings overflowed with a chuckle when I saw that my sweet wife had already posted a comment. The time stamp read 12:53 a.m. I thought she was restless and writing you in the middle of the night! She just awoke though and informs me that it was ONLY 9:53 PST when she posted. Ha Ha, I’m such a xanga novice. I’m glad she slept better than I thought.We all love you and your family so much, and are grateful for the impact you have in the lives of others. Lastly, I would encourage you to look forward to the each new season of life, as you watch your beloved children grow up and move out (as is God’s plan). There are so many blessings to meeting their spouses and seeing their families grow. Getting old is wonderful, if your focus remains on God’s glory. We get the blessing, in all seasons, of seeing Him do good works in the lives of all those He loves.Long, heartfelt hugs all around! – Bob
You expressed your feelings, the children’s reactions, and the paper aftermath so vividly! Makes me feel like I was there! Like you, I enjoy household gifts because I tend to not pay for the nicer stuff myself. I feel guilty! Merry Christmas, Shanda!
Shanda – this post brought such joy to my heart!!!! seeing your kids on Christmas morning. seeing the joy on each face as they had each present. i think my favourite two pictures were seth finally being able to hold an ornament after he tried so hard to be good before Christmas and also when he was looking out the window. such a wonderful moment for your little man. i like that he thought that his beautiful toys were for chewing on…but at that age doesn’t everything go in the mouth 😉 some of the toys he got were my favourite ones, and the ones i still gravitate towards playing with in the nursery when i help with the kids. i love that Grace loves horses and i hope that she’ll be able to experience knowing one one day…i don’t think you guys have one at your place, do you? i know you have many beautiful animals. thank you for sharing these moments.
Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas!
You make my heart smile. Glad you had a cozy Christmas.
I was talking to Jenny’s husband this morning and he asked if I had seen your latest post yet…how wonderful that your family is part of our family’s conversations! We delight in watching each of your children grow over the years and hearing about your life, the good and the hard. Your first picture is just so lovely…I can so feel the peace an joy of Christmas.and my husband gave me good cooking knifes for Christmas too
I got 6 place-settings of Fiesta for Christmas, all in different colors! And a shamrock pitcher and scarlet serving platter and bowl set! Yippee!
Are your new pots & pans All Clad? My husband bought my set over the past couple of years. This year I finally got the stockpot (looked similar to yours). I agree – it’s so wonderful to have nice kitchen equipment and I don’t mind getting them as gifts!
Merry Christmas shanda!! I so enjoyed are your pictures esspecially the first one!
Merry Christmas Shan and Family! I love you all so much!
Merry Christmas!!! Looks like you had a wonderful time! Looks like you did a little shopping at Vision Forum too. Our children got a few similar items. I didn’t let my Andrew use his pogo stick in the house. I didn’t even think of the basement. You were smart to get the better black plastic swords. I got the wooden ones, and they are currently having to be fixed by grandpop. The smaller sword and shields were great for 2 of my younger boys. Love the older type of toys. We watched the Pilgrim’s Progress tonight that I ordered through Vision Forum and we all loved it. Hope all is well for you and your family. Thanks for the encouraging posts!!! Be blessed ~ Deborah
Beautiful Christmas post. It sounds and looks like you and your family had a very special day together. Your youngest boy is SO adorable!! I love it. 😀 And I loved the verses at the end of the post too!
What a sweet post…love the after picture of the living room! That is what ours looked like too…except Mom made us pass around a garbage bag to get all the trash as the presents were unwrapped. Anyways…looks cozy!
so much fun and happiness…. and wrapping paper!!! :)glad you had a wonderful Christmas~
ps~ on a random note, i like your hair. 🙂 don’t know if you got it cut again or what, but looks really cute!
I was happy to see this post while we were at Steve’s parents I could not see them! I loved the picture of all the mess in the living room, it reminded me of Christmas when i was a child and there was six of us all opening gifts!
What beautiful Christmas memories, Shan. I love your pots and pans and knives! Thank you for sharing through your fabulous photography and beautifully painted words. It’s a joy to come visit you. Thinking of you!PS I didn’t know you got engaged at 18…so did! :o)
Merry Christmas (late I know) to you & your family. My girls got the book & doll set that Grace got as well. I love reading those books with them. Glad you had a enjoyable Christmas also. I love getting kitchen things for Christmas as well.