Best Christmas Ever 🎁, Wren is FIVE 🥳
After a big day of meat deliveries on Saturday to Marion and the Abingdon Farmers Market, we took off to Knoxville to spend Sunday with Amy’s family. I set extra hay out for the cows and extra feed for the hogs before we left. My aunt and uncle collected eggs and kept an eye on the chickens. We came back to the valley Monday morning to catch up on chores and get Amy’s coolers ready for a delivery to Chilhowie and Abingdon Monday afternoon.
Monday evening after the delivery, Amy started feeling feverish and under the weather. On Christmas Eve she was down for the count. I did some farming and cleaned one of the airbnb cabins while the kids fended for themselves around the house.
By Christmas Day, Amy was back on her feet. We didn’t do much for the kids this year, yet they remained overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude while opening the few little nicknacks that had their names on them. I tried to hit the “save” button in my mind and download these moments to my longterm memory. Carter’s accent. Wren’s big hugs and bigger smiles. Hasten’s goofiness. Hallie’s helpfulness. Amy’s trying to make herself feel better for the sake of others. I know these are the best days. I hope I can remember these moments. Even more so, I hope I can be present in them.
The highlight of Christmas for the kids was a new puppy, Dixie, who was given to us by some of our best friends (or worst friends, we’ll see how this puppy thing plays out. Haha.) With Sadie’s passing this past year, I was reluctant to accept another puppy. Sadie left some big paws to fill, but I think Dixie will fit in around here just fine. This was “the best Christmas ever” according to the kids.
The Christmas highlight for me was the amount of thoughtful gifts and goodies we received from customers over the past several days. I should be more thoughtful.
Lots to be thankful for. Blessed by more than I deserve. Thankful for Christ’s willingness to come live with us. Making it possible for us to forever go live with him.
Have a good week.
Will