Anticipation of Christmas

Since Thanksgiving, I feel like we have been in a race. 

It's been a good race. A fast one full of smiles, holiday cheer and late bedtimes. 

But a race nonetheless. I know I am not alone in this feeling either. Tis the season.

But today. Today this Jansen family feels like they have crossed the "finish line".

And it feels good.

I don't want to forget anything we have been up to this last month. I want to remember all of it.

This is our official Thanksgiving 2021 family picture. I can't put into words how thankful I am for the cuties (and that handsome one) in this picture. When I look at this picture, my mind for some reason jumps to a picture of Thanksgiving 2020. Em is cradling newborn Theo, the boys are all wearing blue, my four are standing outside at Sue and Sam's and their smiles make it clear that the boys have never been more proud to be big brothers. I wonder if I will always imagine that exact picture on Thanksgiving. Even as they grow and grow and the years get faster and faster, that one might always be my favorite. Our first with four. 

One of my own busiest weeks during school is Homecoming Week! It felt so good to give my "big kids" a glimpse of normal again with a week full of silly dress up days, a little extra school spirit and excited anticipation for a fun dance. My crew at school did a great job pulling it all together; I feel very blessed to work where I work. I am also blessed to call this one my forever homecoming date. He keeps saying yes when I ask him. I'll take that as a good sign. 

If you needed to find us these last few weeks, most likely we were at a Christmas program. Or at least that is what it felt like! Emery Kayt sang in her first big kid choir. High light of the night for me-her letting me do her hair in something other than a pony tail. My big girl just keeps growing up, and I am just so in love with who she is. 

Bennett Lee literally glowed every time the crowd applauded at his program. This one...not afraid of attention. Don't tell the others, but the preschool's telling of Jesus' birth is forever my favorite program. We heart Pup's Patch in our house. 

Emery also had her Christmas piano recital. She played beautifully and swears she never gets nervous. I still love the fact that Karen is her teacher. This week I even got an assignment from Karen; a duet of Away in a Manger for Em and I to play together on Christmas. I better get to practicing. 

Auggie boy finished out our Christmas Program stretch. The minute I picked him up from school he let me know that he was suppose to be there at 5:30; he had even written it down on a tiny piece of paper for me. I don't think he stopped watching the clock after we got home. "Is it time to go yet?"

He sang, he danced, he got a picture with he best bud Russell. It was a good night. 

Along with everything already mentioned, we have done all the Christmas things. We decked our halls (and surprisingly Theodore has not demolished the tree that much). We had fun dressing up at school (skinniest Frosty ever). We have watched four of our favorite Christmas movies so far (The Grinch, Elf, Santa Claus and Home Alone-we all have different favorites). We have made cookies (with way too many sprinkles). We have gifted Christmas Potpourri pots to teachers, we have critiqued neighborhoods of lights, and we have snuggled in Christmas jammies. 

Everything we have been up to, all the good busy, has been in anticipation of Christmas. Yesterday Emery even stated that she couldn't believe that this week was finally here. "All year I think Christmas seems so far away...but its finally here!" When she said that, my mind went to the true meaning of Advent. This last month has been the expectant waiting and preparation for Christ's birth. It is also so much bigger. It is also the expectant waiting and preparation of Christ's second coming. 

With that, my mind goes in a million places when I think of the anticipation, expectant waiting and preparation of Christmas. Mary anxiously waited and prepared for nine months to see the face of her precious baby boy. The boy that would save the world. From the Old Testament to the New, the Jewish people waited 400 years for a fulfilled promise. Many, many of us today expectantly wait (and not so patiently) for answers to our everyday prayers. The joy my family has felt preparing to celebrate this week reflects the joy we should have in preparing for our Savior's return! 

So as the excitement builds during this special week, my prayer is that this excitement we are all feeling would transcend and surpass this month, this year, this lifetime. May we enjoy the good race, but may we find our home at the finish line.

Merry Christmas from the Jansens!