Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!

Christmas is a joyous time of year! This Christmas and the past 2 have been full of new experiences...

2011 - I am a little saddened this year, because this holiday season Aaron is in PA working. BUT I am thankful he has a great job and that I am in WV spending Christmas with family. This is also a reason for tears to be shed, because it is the first Christmas without my Grandfather. BUT I am thankful that he is in heaven and while we celebrate Jesus's birthday here on earth, he is spending eternity in his presence.

2010 - Last year was also a wonderful Christmas season. It was mine and Aaron's first Christmas as "The Hatfield's". We did the usual traveling to families houses for dinner, presents, visiting, decorations, and sweets. One of the best memories we have is a few days before Christmas we had a party for the little children in our lives. We had pizza, decorated cookies, opened presents, and PLAYED PLAYED PLAYED!

2009 - What a year! Aaron and I weren't married yet, we got married New Year's Eve 2009. This year there was a HUGE snow storm knocking out power and phone lines. Also transportation was halted do to snow covered roads and trees blocking the way. During this time when all seemed to be going wrong we had the best Christmas I can ever remember. We starred at a Christmas tree with no lights. We wore layers of clothes, and homes were heated with propane and kerosene heaters. Mamaw Carol fixed Christmas dinner (fried chicken and dumplings) outside on a propane gas cook stove. We had to use flashlights and oil lamps after sundown to see. We flushed the toilet with creek water. We had to heat water to take a bird bath (ok maybe that part wasn't so great). Aaron traveled through all the chaos to bring us kerosene and jug water (supplies were hard to come by since power was out EVERYWHERE). I think he just wanted to see me :) BUT things were calm, there was no hectic hustle and bustle that is usually seen this time of year. We had more important things to worry about...like survival. We focused on what was real, not all the flashy. God knows what he is doing and perhaps he left the lights off for a reason, to teach us all a few lesson, help us grow closer together, and give us a lot of wonderful memories.

My gift to the blogging community: Don't forget what CHRISTmas is really about, and enjoy every second with the ones whom you love.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!