I hope that everyone who reads this had a blessed Christmas. I have heard of so many friends and family members who have had their Christmas plans changed because of Covid, families together but one of them isolating, plans changed, visits having to be abandoned. So sad for so many but I hope that whatever you did it was still a good Christmas.
We, I am ashamed to say, had what was probably our best Christmas ever. Our Christmas Day always involved others. In the past we would have ten or twelve people for Christmas day. As our god-children grew up the numbers dwindled and it would be parents then just Nigel's Mom. Our last two Christmases with her were in the care home for Christmas Day. However, Boxing Day has always been our day. We have always refused to do anything Boxing Day except just be US at home together. Last year was the first year with no Christmas guests or duties but it was a very stressful Christmas as the boys were so new and terrified of everything. So we were looking forward to battering down the hatches and just having we two and our boyz for Chrstmas. And I have to say I think it has been my happiest Christmas ever. Both days involved PJs (we didn't even have to get dressed for church as we decided with Covid we would rather watch the live stream than go to the church) champagne, gifts and our boys. There was no stress. It didn't matter what time we ate (though we did have the full works Christmas dinner), nothing had to be tidied away, there were no deadlines and we just chilled all day with the boys. They loved it. They loved the presents, the endless treats, the piles of wrapping paper, the turkey and the fact that we were in with them all day - we didn't go into the study, we didn't go out, we were just there. (They are exhausted by the way!)
Not to many but some photos and the most important one is this - everything in my heart right there is that one photo

some are Christmas day some boxing day - they were much the same and the photos are all of the cats with their gifts - no Christmas lunch photos (it was awesome though) no tree photos as we don't have one, no group pictures.
Catnip bubbles and treats were a real hit



and a new bungalow play space





















It's been awesome.
I have kept up with my journal though and have some more pages to share



This is a close up of the advent calendar and little frame. My best friend bought it for me as an advent gift and you painted a picture following an on line tutorial each day. The calendar was A4 size so the pictures were small and the little frame was even smaller - those paintings were only 1" square!



and I also made this one today for a Scrap Squad challenge

Whatever your Christmas held I hope that it was good. I know for many it is a hard time of year and a time to 'get through' rather than enjoy and I pray that our Lord sent you blessings to deal with that too.
Today I am thankful for
- my faith - it sustains us both
- Nigel and the boyz
- quiet times
- less stress and anxiety - it is the first time in many many years I truly did not feel anxious and it was a blessing for those couple of days.