Christmas Pasts

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Well that time of year is approaching again, Christmas, and I have to confess, I have very mixed emotions about the whole ordeal.  Over the course of the last few years I dread the shopping (as it costs too damn much) and deciding what to get our children is a daunting task in itself.  Oh sure, Luke is easy, get him anything resembling a tractor, car or truck and he's set, but the other two are at those ages where everything they want is "techy" crap that we don't understand and also costs a ton.  I get so stressed out by all of this, really I do.  Every year we say we are going to spend less but then we buy the stuff at the store and when it's all wrapped it never looks like much that I end up going back and getting something else.  The idea of my kids waking up on Xmas morning with looks of disappointment on their faces would break my heart.

I do look forward to getting together with family, I love them all, but even that isn't what it used to be when both of our Dad's were still alive and never feels quite "right".  Between my Dad's "red robins" (a special drink we always had on Christmas Eve) and Jeff's Dad's smart ass comments at Christmas (well, now that I think of it, he had those all the time), there is a definite void.

So, with this hum bug sort of feeling I have going into the Christmas season I decided to pull out some pictures from past Holidays seasons to help put a smile on my face and remind me of those "moments" during every Christmas season that bring joy, happiness and smiles to our faces.

Opening Presents.  Now what season would be complete without the smiles on everybody's faces when opening gifts from friends and family?  I can never get enough of looking at photos of my kids and loved ones opening their gifts.

Me as a young girl with the black rub-a-dub-dolly I got.  Apparently my parents waited until the last minute to do their Xmas shopping too and they couldn't find any white ones in the store so they got me a black one instead, knowing it was the one thing I really wanted for Xmas.

Zach opening a gift on Xmas morning.

Sam watching Zach open one of his gifts on Xmas morning.

My Mom and Dad opening gifts from us kids on Xmas.  I believe this was the year they took up golfing and we got them clubs and things for their new sport.

My nephews Collin & Dustin with their new bowling balls. 

Pictures by the Christmas Tree.  I don't know about you, but I always have to take pictures of the tree with the kids by it to show how the kids looked that year at Christmas, along with how the tree was decorated.

Samantha by our tree our very first Christmas in our house.

Samantha and Zachary in front of the tree.

My nephew, Derek, in front of my parent's tree at Xmas.  He is a Daddy now himself.

Your famous professional Holiday photos. 

Samantha dressed so pretty for one of her Xmas picture sessions.

Another Samantha picture, she was so darn cute!

Samantha & Zachary one Xmas.

A family picture one Xmas.

Group family photos taken at get together.  I'm not sure about your families but I know with mine we are always taking a ton of photos at each Christmas get together.  One of the whole family, some with just the grandkids, some with the grandparents and kids and everything in-between. 

Jeff's Mom with our niece Nicole, Samantha and Zachary.

The Degnitz cousins in 1999.  Derek, Collin, Dustin, Colton and Samantha.  Even with the addition of some more now, Samantha is still the only girl on this side of the family.

Christmas 2010 with the Dahms.  Lukas, our niece Nicole, our nephew Blake, Zachary and Samantha.

Infamous Santa Claus pictures.  Oh man, you gotta have these right?  Some turn out so precious, like the very first one below.  You can see Zach is somewhat apprehensive, that is why I am sooo close by, but at the same time he wants to make darn sure that Santa knows what he wants for Christmas so his house doesn't get passed up.  And meanwhile, Samantha waited so patiently to tell him her wishes as well.  And we all have the pictures like the last one, where the child is completely horrified at his presence (I honestly think it is hilarious when that happens).

Zach using his interpreter (Mom) to tell Santa what he wants.

Zachary & Samantha with Santa.  There aren't too many Santas that actually look good if you ask me.  This one looks like he is drunk on this picture?

Last year's picture with Santa.  As you can see Luke is not happy.  I have a very similar one from the year before too!  Maybe this year he'll finally be okay with sitting on his lap?

I guess now, looking back at all of these, there is a little inner child in me that does look forward to this year's activities.  I cannot wait to do my annual cookie baking with the kiddos (even if they do lose their interest usually after two recipes are completed).  I look forward to spending some time with Jeff alone to go shopping for the kid's gifts and fight the crazy crowds as we always wait until the last minute.  I am excited to wrap the gifts and place them under the tree so the kids can wake up nice and early the next morning and wait and wait and wait until we get home from the farm and morning chores to open thme (Man that would kill me if I was a kid!).

And last but not least, I look forward to our church service on Christmas morning where we will celebrate the true reason all of this is happening in the first place, the birth of our Saviour!!!!

Matthew 1:21And she will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.

God Bless all of you, and may you all have a joyous Christmas!!!!!!!!