check

-presents wrapped & under the tree.... check

-stockings filled.... check

-2 little boys snuggy in new christmas pjs & slippers sleeping soundly.... check

-a tired mom & dad who are about to fall asleep standing up.... check

-a wife who can't believe how lucky she is to have a husband for Christmas morning.... definite check

we had planned on doing lots of fun, simple traditions this year for christmas; we were trying to have a handmade christmas. everyone's wheels had just started turning with creative ideas when pete had his incident. needless to say, those fun & simple ideas didn't really happen. however, i couldn't deprive sam of making a doll for his cousin emi; he wouldn't let that go. i'm grateful we did. it was a big success; i'm certain sam and will are going to have a hard time parting with that doll tomorrow, especially will. that doll has been the hot item around our house lately; it does whatever we do and has been seen tagging along with will on every indoor excursion he has had. sam had a very active hand in the creation of this doll. he chose the fabric, hand-stitched the top of the head closed, and guided all of my design choices (although i had to ax the 4 eyeballs to make her an alien girl; i thought the red eyes were freaky enough). he was so proud that he finally knows how to sew. :)

i couldn't let the christmas pjs go either, so i somehow managed to get those made through all of this. i'm happy to have a bit of handmade in our christmas gifts this year.

mostly i'm so happy that we have a whole new perspective on christmas this year. we know and can feel it's not about presents. it is about a gift though, the gift of life. not only the gift of pete's life, but the gift of Jesus Christ's life. He has truly made all things possible, including peace and including miracles. the celebration of life will now be the new tradition we take into every christmas season forever.

wishing you all the very happiest christmas ever.