Christmas Eve with the Els! What a day! It turned out great, but it was one busy, hectic day, especially for El Momma!
When you are the momma you are expected to do certain things. At least, in this house. And, I’m okay with that. I am considered a “stay at home” momma. And, I’m good with that title too. In addition to the many jobs that title brings with it, I am blessed to have another job as a worship leader at a loving church in West U and with that job comes a lot of work around the holidays. Great work! But, work, none-the-less. Leading up to the days before Christmas, I led worship the first 2 Sundays of Advent, participated in two Lessons and Carols Services on the 4th Sunday of Advent, led worship Christmas Eve during our 5pm Family Service, led worship the first Sunday after Christmas AND my husband sang a song “Manger Throne” as part of the sermon series throughout all of Advent. And, we had a sit-down dinner party for the band at our house plus a ton of rehearsals to prepare for all of the services. The Els were amazing through it all. They almost always have to come early with me to services. And, for the most part, they were great! So, back one of the things I am “expected” to do: shopping, that’s the big one for Christmas. I think a lot about gifts. I like to get people things they will really like and use. I don’t know if I’m totally successful with that. But, my heart is in the right place. Somehow, some way, we managed to get all of the gifts for family in time for Christmas, except for one that was guaranteed for Christmas Eve delivery to Sugar Land and is still floating around somewhere in Stafford. But, other than that, I did my job! I don’t even know how I did it. In fact at 1:40pm Christmas Eve, just 1 hour and 20 minutes before I was supposed to arrive with my entire family to church for sound check and rehearsal, I was still inside Mega Marshalls. This was right when they announced over the load speaker that they were “probably going to lose power at 2pm for about 30 minutes.” Aaaaah! That is one way to cause panic and make everyone in the store rush to the front. What a nightmare. And, really, I was just trying to grab a new dress or something that would actually fit my “I have a 5 month old baby” body. So, after that, I managed to get home, help get everyone dressed for church and get myself dressed and then we made it to church only 15 minutes after sound check was supposed to begin. Luckily, the Youth Band (which I am lucky enough to direct) started their sound check without me. The service was beautiful, absolutely beautiful. And, it was nearly perfect. I was a little stressed during Silent Night when no one came to light the candles of the band members and the lights didn’t go out in the sanctuary. But, in the great scheme of things, that really is not a big deal. And, I believe that wasn’t important to God at the time, or it would have happened. So, I’ve had to let that little imperfection go and know that our praises to Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit were perfect on Christmas Eve, even without candles in the dark!
After the service, we made our way to Moustapha’s parents’ house to have Christmas Eve dinner and a celebration with the family. We didn’t make it in time for dinner. We probably would have been closer to dinner time, if it wasn’t for the horrific rain storm we traveled through. We’re lucky to have made it at all. And, after we finally made it inside, somehow I didn’t burst into tears. But, I promise, I came very close!
Moustapha and I enjoyed dinner and soon everyone gathered in the living room to open presents: Moustapha’s parents, all three of his sisters, their families including five more children and all of us found a place to sit. Two of our nephews had ear infections and were running fever. Thankfully, they are all better now. But, that was really hard on them and their parents. We spent the rest of the night opening gifts, relaxing and talking with family.
The Els in front of the Christmas tree.
Leeland and his new froggy!
Aunt Leila with Leeland at dinner.
Maddux with Toy Story toys!
Oooooooooooooooooh, a tricycle!
Grandma and Jiddy
Christopher and Aunt Amira
My first Christmas
Princesses
By the time we arrived home, Trinity was asleep and Bakri and Maddux stayed up to put cookies and milk out for Santa. It wasn’t long before they were dreaming too. Mommy and Daddy’s work was still not done. We had to really get ready for Santa! But, soon, we were fast asleep and before we knew it, the Els were waking us up ready to start Christmas Day!
