Tuesday, December 20, 2011

a grand kid's christmas









i walk into this place, this house, no- this home and wish i could never leave. i never walk in without being welcomed with great hugs by two very special people, nana and grandaddy. this night we are here to celebrate christmas, and the bond of our family that grows each day. the food is spread out on the dining room table. the card tables and folding chairs are set and waiting for family to fill them in den. all because of a very diligent nana and grandaddy, all is ready. we wait for cousins, their dates, aunts and uncles to arrive. they do and hugs are exchanged, smiles shared. we talk, we gather round in den as is the custom and listen as grandaddy speaks. tonight there is a list nana has made for him and we all joke as he goes down the list with great order. he encourages as he expresses his thankfulness for all gathered there under his roof. in great big circle, we all grasp hands and brother dallas offers his thanks for the food. after all food is consumed, a checker game and-a-half is played with byron (the second game was almost won by yours truly), the grandparents pass each of the grand kids their gift... a book for each of memories from years past. we open with great awe and eagerly devour each of our books, only stopping to point out one or many photos to a family member nearby. memories of great moments in time are re-lived. the books are treasured already and heartfelt hugs are given to nana and grandaddy for their hard work in compiling each of the seven grand kids a personal book. dirty santa is played and then we lift our voices in song to Him who knit us together as family. on the front porch in the cool night air, grand kids laugh until we can't breathe as grandaddy takes picture after picture. the love is here and this is the greatest christmas present of all.

(giveaway)

19 comments:

Gentri said...

How wonderful is that?? :) I wish I had a lot of cousins my age. They were all way older besides two of them who are way younger.

Kristen said...

I love it! Sounds so wonderful!

kait said...

love really is the greatest Christmas present of all :)

you are such a great writer, you tell stories so well! So glad you were able to spend time with your family, sounds like they are pretty wonderful.

Why Girls Are Weird said...

Aw sounds great!

Marli said...

yay for pictures with spotlights shining in your eyes. yay for a pic that would finally work for the grandkid christmas card. yay for crazy cuzzes like byron. yay for books compiles so lovingly. yay for pink watches for a manly cuz. ;) (hey, tough men wear pink, barrett.... :))

Nichole said...

Grandparents are such a blessing !

Elle Sees said...

Christmas for me was always my great granny's house. She's in the nursing home now and while we all still do Christmas, it is at my grandmother's house. Just not the same. Treasure those moments.
And I LOVE EOS! I've featured it in posts before.
And my granny says when the rain and sun are at the same time, it's the devil beating his wife. I'd never heard that!!!!

Nana said...

A fantastic description of our Family Christmas. We are so honored, and so glad our home is a happy gathering place. Of course, it is wonderful grandchildren like you who motivate us to be "Nana and Granddaddy's house." It is our relatives who are now gone who have showed us how to maintain "peace and love in the home." It was our Heavenly Father who taught them, and many generations back, through the writings in the inspired Holy Bible.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post!!! You do such a good job of describing how great it feels to be part of a close knit family. I'm lucky to have one of those, too. :o)

Nana said...

Oops! Just realize I used a wrong verb. Can you change the word "showed" to "shown?" Thanks!

Nana

Summer-Raye said...

Nothing like a grandparents love. <3

kait said...

you are going to absolutely LOVE disney! its Ah.Maze.ing. You will never want to leave i promise! I've only been twice, and I can't wait to go back again. Hope you have a wonderful time :)

Mexican Coca cola is pretty good, it has cane sugar instead of corn syrup. Tastes a little sweeter in my opinion.

ps- that is so precious that your Nana leaves you comments :) my parents/grandparents are nowhere near computer literate enough to do that ha ha

Christi Lynn said...

sounds like such a sweet and amazing time!! i just love grandparents. nothing beats them.

sherri said...

Sounds like a wonderful time. Family is the best! Thanks for sharing! Joy is my cousin and Sarah is my sister. Thanks for wishing them a happy bday!

Bree said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

Hope you have a Great Christmas!

Mrs. Pancakes said...

That looks like a fun time...so sweet!

Courtney said...

This post is filled with sweetness! You are a beautiful person!

Unknown said...

i tagged you in another quizzy!

his little lady said...

ahh, i love going to the grandparents for the holidays! nothing says family and comfort than grandparents! :)
xo TJ