Christmas/New Year

I am just now getting to sit down and write...it was a very busy holiday season for the Shaw's! This year was a little different for my little family. Spencer and I wanted to start our own traditions and be at our own home for Christmas Eve and Christmas day, especially since we are always on the go anyway, we want the season to be calm and centered around the 'true' meaning of Christmas and acknowledge the blessings of having a family. So, we did just that! Our little family of 3 packed up on Christmas Eve and went to the service our church offered and celebrated with our church family. We later went on home to enjoy each other and prepare for the next day! I think I was way more excited for this year, because of Audrey, than ever before. I was thinking she would flip out when we got her up and walked her in the living room where all her presents were stacked from Santa, but she went straight to an old toy and I knew she had absolutely no clue what was so special about that day! I ended up opening all her (and sister's) presents she got from us or anyone else. I think this next year will be much for exciting for her and it will only get better and better as we teach her about Jesus! We did end up going to see Spencer's mom and dad in Owasso later that night (kind-of spontaneous). It was one of the best visits we've ever had. Spencer's brother and his family also came (since they live in Oklahoma now!!!) and it always makes it loud and goofy! Jim (Spencer's) dad, lives at Baptist Village there in Owasso, and his mom lives on campus, so it is always special when we can all get together for him to see the babies and be involved. There is an adorable room that we sometimes go to there called the "tea room" when everyone is here, or we know there is a party to be had. Very special memories for us all! We are thankful that we can do that!

The day after Christmas was a Sunday, so a work day for Spence, but after church we headed to my parents house to have Christmas with my family in Seminole. My sister and her hubby, Curtis, joined us for an evening of food and laughter! I posted a few of those pictures on my facebook. It was a short visit sadly, but we are grateful that we got to go. We didn't have 'real' Christmas with Spencer's family until the 1st so that his sister and her family of 4 would be here. They live in Houston. This would be one of the occasions that we all gathered in the 'tea room'! It is always a riot when we all get together! The kids (5) all run around or dance to music and the adults chase and eat and dance too. The pictures I posted on facebook show some of the chaos that makes our hearts cheer! Oh ya...we also had a special visit from Santa! Yep! He made a special trip just for us after Christmas! The only ones that actually sat on his lap without fear were Audrey, Jeb and Sydney. Jo and Brooklyn were not so sure about this strange man with his jolly laugh!

We rang in the new year with a trip to Zios and to see the Rhema lights in BA and back to Owasso. My parents stayed with Audrey at our house that night to spend some extra time with her since our Christmas trip was too short. They are the sweetest grandparents ever and she has a blast with them!

Highlights from 2010 that pop in my head are...the trip to Venezuela, Audrey turning 1, and getting pregnant with our 2nd!! There were also many, many wonderful memories made as well as challenges, but I am so very thankful for a new year!

May our new beginnings be new beginnings centered around Christ and glorifying His kingdom, for that is our sole purpose in life.

Blessings from the Shaw's