The Best Gift of All - Memories

Very special Christmas memories...

....when we took Maya up to the Nativity Set after Mass, and she sang Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus. What a beautiful child the Lord has given me.


...when Maya was coming down the stairs this morning, turned to me and said, so seriously, "Mommy, I think I heard Santa come down the chimney last night."


...the beautiful Birthday cake Grandma made for Baby Jesus with blue frosting - a special request from Maya because, "Baby Jesus is a boy, Grandma".


...Carolyn, Steve and Andrea; Rich and Karen; Cindy and Terry. Family that couldn't be here with us, but who remembered our little girl and took the time to send Maya something.


...Carol and Fred; Linda; Elaine. Wayne's family that couldn't be with us but they sent something for Maya and the wonderful phone conversation with Lori that ended with a "phone hug".


...Maya enjoying the candy canes and marbles every bit as much as the bigger toys.


...Wayne baking, yes, you heard me, BAKING bread. Whew! From scratch, punching dough and the whole shebang. And it was super delicious as well as beautiful. He said he remember "helping" his mother make it when he was young.


...seeing Cousin Kevin act silly with my baby girl, reindeer antlers and all. Kevin decorating a gingerbread house with Wayne - they did an awesome job, who knew?

...Cousin Kevin calling me from the store to see what-in-the-world to get for Maya. Ahhh, I remember those child-free days well. He ended up with awesome Little Pony sets and "going out on a limb" because I didn't mention it, play-doh.


...hearing Maya say, "don't touch it, Grandpa!" about fifty times. About her toys, her gingerbread house, Santa's hat, her cheese crackers, those two are a piece of work. "Grandpa, you have to behave!"


...my beautiful little-boxes from Mom and Dad and Wayne. Yes, jewelry is the way to this girl's heart.


...speaking of jewelry, the fantastic earrings from JodyLynn. They are the cutest Christmas earrings I have ever seen. I love them!! Go to jewelzbyjl.com to see her gorgeous pieces. The Christmas trees aren't on the website yet, but they probably will be by next year.


...Maya saying, "Kerplump" all day instead of Kerplunk, LOL.


...singing "Angels We Have Heard on High" with Maya and the way she stayed on harmony, even though we sang, lalala, neither of us knew the words until "Glo, or, or, or, or ia"


...watching Polar Express with Kevin, Mom, Dad, Wayne and Maya.


...putting reindeer food out and leaving cookies and milk for Santa.


...drinking egg nog and opening presents.