Happy Christmas!

What we did on Christmas Eve:

Sang some Christmas carols...

Had a delightful cheese fondue...

And sat in front of the Christmas tree, just to say "HAPPY CHRISTMAS!"

It's that time again!

It's Christmas time in Ireland! (As it is in many areas of the world—though not all.) And what would Christmas be without some great, "ol'-timey" music, a real living fir tree with presents underneath, hot chocolate, and—rain. Well, that's no damper for us ;-) because Christmas is more than all of those things. Still, we love them. Our favorite CDs right now are Christmastime from City on a Hill, Rose of Bethlehem from Selah, and Christmas Favorites from Nat "King" Cole. Sadly, that nearly exhausts our holiday repertoire, so the playlist is growing repetitive.

Bringing home our new baby from Woodie's.

We spent a good bit of time this morning writing Christmas cards to family and friends, but we won't have the time or money to write a HUGE THANKYOU to every individual who got a card or scribbled on a napkin and sent it to us in Ireland with my parents! It was a great blessing to hold a physical keepsake from you, and it got us right in the Christmas spirit, it did. In fact, I might even say that was the day Christmas started for us.

The Christmas Tree in its natural habitat.

Not that everything is bells and lights and holiday cheer during this dark and rainy season. As long as the annual Swords Baptist Church Carol Sing is in the planning stages, there will be a little less cheer around here. Fortunately, there have been glimpses—I say glimpses—of the light at the end of the tunnel, and it is a bright one. I think that everyone is keenly anticipating this Sunday's festivities, and I have no doubts on the fact that it will be a beautiful and memorable time. There will of course be carol-singing, as well as special music from some talented youth, Josh Lamb and friends, an Amazing Ten Minute Christmas Play, written by your very own Ashleigh Dueck with Tim Burns, mince pies and punch served by cautious youth, and who knows what else! If last year is any indication of this year's expected turnout, then we will have eager partyfolk spilling out the back door for lack of adequate seating. Perhaps we will even violate a firecode regulation or two. All will be revealed in a matter of days…

Christmas card.

This picture is just for my mom, who is putting together a photographic Christmas card. So, it won't be here forever... maybe. Okay.