Getting ready for Christmas seems wonderful and strange all at the same time.

I am sitting in a quiet house, all others are asleep in bed and its not yet 9.30.  All evidence of the crazy busy noisy day is cleared away, and the temptation to start several projects is great. 

But I am restraining myself to the basics, the advent calender is up, each little pocket containing a decoration and a section of the Christmas story. There will be two excited girls in the morning, this is the first year we have had to share hanging the decorations.  I wonder how that will go.  And I have found the devotional book, it takes us from Genesis to the manger in a wonderful and simple way, there are activties to do together each day.  I am looking forward to it.  It was in the wreath box, oh I want to hang it, and maybe some of the other decorations, but I will regret it if I get started. 

A short few hours and there will be some small bleats, a snuffle or two and if they are ignored then a loud complaining eruption will sound.  And then his brother will join in.........

The peace of everyone in bed is so inviting, so calming, so energizing.  It is a promise that there will come a time when nights are again for sleeping and days are for activity and laughter. 

But the stage we are in now, is given as a gift.  Each and every part. Christmas is about the ultimate gift, and it Christs coming was not as expected.  I want to make a conscious effort to look of the joy in each moment of each busy day, and give thanks for it is a good gift given by a loving Father. 

Safely arrived

Here we are, back in Calgary, enjoying the Christmas carols on the radio and the dusting of snow we woke up to this morning. It all seems very peaceful, that I am sure will be shattered shortly by two small boys, or two smallish girls or even both.

The journey back was certainly easier than we expected. Thank you to all who were praying that day. From the taxi stand at Gatwick right through to immigration in Canada we were helped with bags and children and taken the front of queues and generally treated like kings. How many couples traveling with four children four and under could boast that they watched a movie in peace or had a 2 hour nap? 5 hours in all of the kids were asleep, and the girls stayed so pretty much until we had to get them sat up for landing. The airline had their heads screwed on too, and had activity bags for the kids which included headphones for the in-flight entertainment and served the kids meals first so Tom and I could each help one and we didn't have the stress of lots of trays in a confined space at the same time.

We were embarresingly moved straight to top of the line at passport control in Canada and then again at the immigration section. This probably saved us at least a good 2 hours. We were grateful.

Off to change nappies......will try and finish later :)