Christmas in ole Virginny

I love Virginia. I am proud to be from a small town and proud that my family still lives there so I can go back and visit.

We took a red eye to Virginia and boy was I nervous about how Ellen would be. I worried she wouldn't sleep or she would cry the whole time or that her ears would hurt. None of that  happened. She slept the entire way there on both flights. Just to show you how good she slept:

I love this little baby girl of mine. And so did everyone we saw in Virginia. Pictures don't even do justice to the amount of people she met and smiled at. Her smile makes anyone feel like a million bucks.

We spent the two weeks seeing as many family members as we could. And you wouldn't believe it but we still didn't see all of my family in that amount of time. Its safe to say I have a gigantic family. But we did our best.

Christmas morning we went to my great grandparents and had Christmas breakfast. I loved sitting around chatting with everyone and seeing how their lives have changed over the years I've been away. It always feels like home at their house.

I sure love my great grandparents. They hold a special place in my heart and I feel so lucky to have grown up close to them and had their influence in my life. Being there brought back memories of high school and spending Thursday's with my great grandma for home study seminary. And then spending the summers, as a child, going swimming at the crossings. It also reminded me of the time I went to the movies with great grandma and grandpa. Grandpa was driving and wasn't paying quite as close of attention as he should have. Grandma slammed on the ceiling as a car came close and squeaked "LaMont!?!" I die laughing every time I think of it.

It was a special experience for me to get to see my great grandparents with my own child. Even though my grandfather's Alzheimer's disease has taken over his body and mind I still see his smiling face and his sweet countenance there. He's a little slice of heaven. I love him. And my grandma is always standing strong by his side. 

It's taken my own child for me to realize the beauty and grace and patience these two wonderful people have. They have seen the world change together, raised children, watched children raise children,  and watched those children raise children (and those children raise children). And I think what's so remarkable to me is that even now, nearing the end of their lives, they are steadily by each others side. My grandmother's love for my grandfather is unmatched. She is one of my hero's.

I love my family. They are so wonderful to me and so kind to all those they meet. I'm so lucky to have them and to have been chosen by them. I feel extra special about that.
This holiday season was so important to Kyle and I because, through it all, we realized it's not about the gifts or the giving, it's really about the babe born in a manger. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I love Him and hope I can celebrate His life every day like I do during Christmas time.