Candlelight Service

Tonight's Candlelight Service was a full one - look at all the people that were here!  Those were the ones that got here 45 minutes early, because everyone else wound up in overflow.  It was packed!  But it was nice nonetheless, with plenty of Christmas carols, a good message, and of course the candles all over the sanctuary.

This morning we woke up to the sound of thunder.  A lot of thunder.  Strong storms have been crossing the southeast, as the Heat Miser has evidently decided to establish his dominance over this area.  The rain has been constant, and the temperatures have been record breaking.  It is said that El Nino is to blame.  Whatever it is, it's sure warm here in Georgia.

Daddy took Madison on a shopping trip this afternoon, one to the dollar store, one where Madison had about $20 to spend on all the family members - and gift bags too!  She picked up all kinds of presents there, putting lots of thought into each one.

Meanwhile, Mommy was making a birthday cake for someone who has a big birthday tomorrow!

This is a great Christmas tradition, and such a lovely one.  Mommy always does such a good job with this.  Daddy and Madison came home and thought it looked really good.

Speaking of looking good, that goat in Gavle survived!  That makes two years in a row.  We've been periodically checking on it, and yay!  It made it to the end of the Christmas season!

Another tradition for Christmas Eve:  checking in with NORAD.  They've been tracking Santa for quite a few years, so we were able to check on his progress this afternoon and yikes... he was in Syria of all places.  Hope he flies safely there...

It rained all day today, a theme of the last few months.  It's been overcast for so long here, so different from the weather patterns we're used to.  Despite the rain, we all made it fine to Nana and Ye-Ye's house tonight for the beginning of the family Christmas.

Everyone was there, including Uncle Dave, who was pretty bad off to be honest.  The cancer has taken a toll, and the very man who was carrying out all the presents to the car last Christmas was unable to walk by himself this year.

But at least he could make it.  And as always, Ye-Ye and Nana had a great feast of food prepared.  All kinds of shrimp, meatballs, sliced meats - and then there were the cookies and cakes and the egg nog... it was all wonderful.  We had some Christmas movies playing as we all spent time together talking, laughing, and sharing.  We saved the gift opening for the next day, but still had a great time together as a family.

We got home, and of course there was the reading of "The Night Before Christmas."  We read from other Christmas books too, but soon enough we will all be asleep, visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads.  It's raining tonight, and Rudolph will surely be needed to help out through the evening.  NORAD is tracking him, and he's getting close.  So off to sleep we go, excited about another Christmas morning tomorrow, a day full of wonder.