Wednesday, December 26, 2007

A Howard-Jones Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!
Well thought I would update on how Christmas actually went.
We went to our Christmas Eve Service at church on the 24th and it was very nice. Isaac did so well at being Joseph leading Alan who was the donkey, down the isle with me on his back as Mary....hehe....a lot of the people in the church roared with laughter. We have very different cultures in our church and I suppose some found it quite funny. Isaac was so sweet as he laid our "baby Jesus" in the manger to the music and we all sat there waiting for the music to finish after we had walked to the manger. It went very well. Isaac was a little embarrassed at the laughter and I had to explain they were not laughing at him but probably at daddy's ears that we had for him to be a donkey..and he was ok with that. Isaac did SO well.
Christmas Day. Isaac didn't wake til 0730am which was a nice surprise for us...especially Alan who gets up when Isaac gets up to let me rest a little longer. Isaac apparently ran into the presents and the tree and then woke Alan up saying excitedly that there were presents under the tree and they woke me at 8am! We went into the lounge and opened presents and Isaac was very excited to have "James" the engine from the Thomas series. He has been waiting so long and was so excited. He got a new helmet which is a nice red and he got a big swing set for outdoors...he was so sweet, "Santa knew I didn't have one yet" he says.
We had the morning at home as a family and then rushed off for lunch on the other side of town with Alan's family and extended relatives. It was so busy. Lots of present opening and food and family and laughing and talking. We only got home around 6pm and then we rushed off to my family's do for Christmas dinner. Isaac had not yet had time to play with his new toys...especially James. We left and forgot 2 presents and we felt a little stressed and Alan came back to get them...we got to my sisters and we were very tired right then. Isaac had not slept all day and you know what it is like when they have not slept.....also he had not had any "time alone" time. He had had people in his "space" all day so when we got to my sisters his behaviour was saying that he needed time alone and needed a break from the people. A few tears between the cousins...a cuddle in the end room....opening more presents for the children and finally....SLEEP TIME for Isaac. He was not sure about sleeping where he was so I lay with him for a while...after a short time he was asleep....ah yes...now adult time. So we had dinner and then opened the adult presents and then we went home after midnight....Alan and I got to sleep at 2 am that morning and I am exhausted two days later. I slept in yesterday but today I have actually felt nauseated all day and aggitated! I know that Christmas Day was a big push for me and going to bed VERY late. BUT...it was fun and I had a great time except for the brief moments of stress that evening with me feeling exhausted and Isaac really tired and forgetting the presents...but it worked out.
Now....getting ready for New Year's Eve. We have a special service with church every New Years....an African tradition. We never used to have this and we would go to Alan's family or have something at our house...and all our friends used to come. I must admit that I do miss that quite a lot. However, for the last number of years we have gone to this service. The Africans love to dance at midnight. They are quite party animals. It is fun...it is a BIG night! Alan and I are planning on leaving just after 12 mid night and are trying not to stay. It is hard when you enjoy yourself and have to be strict about leaving for health reasons....like me getting totally exhausted and taking twice as long to recover from it....but we try and be more strict because of the after affect it may have on me. So that will be New Year's Eve...and then New Year's Day we will all be at home recovering from the big do.....back into normal living after that. I start with appointments in regards to my surgery on the 21st January...the specialists I must see to prepare for the surgery. May be I will work a little before the surgery. Being on the casual pool for nursing can sometimes be slow around Christmas and New Year and January.
Well, I better go. We have mum and dad coming up to have a BBQ and use our new outdoor table and chairs that Alan got for Christmas from mum and dad.
Thanks for reading! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love Charisse

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

it really was a great Christmas love, and even though i was reluctant at first at being "the donkey", I must admit that I did enjoy the experience, especially with Isaac actually joining in and cooperating--rather than refusing to participate.

New Years will be a hoot!! don't stress about the later night... all will be well!

love you, sweet-heart!
Alan

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a WONDERFUL Christmas! We ALL try to do too much with family and friends and all the excitement. But it's usually worth it to see our kid's smiling faces! You have a couple of days to rest and relax before the big New Years party, which sounds interesting! It's awesome that you are bending a little to join in another cultures traditions. God will bless you for your love of the people in your church. Love, Kathy
PS Did you take any pictures of the donkey adventure??? :-)

Anonymous said...

Happy new year to you too, Charisse. I pray that 2008
is the best year yet for you, Isaac and Alan. Hugs,
prayers and blessings, Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Know that I'm here praying!
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Anonymous said...

Praying right now!
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.