A Christmas Like No Other

Given the fact that there's a teeny one about to enter our lives, we got no visitors for Christmas.  Why come out now when the dudette will be here in the flip of the January switch.  SO....we spent our first Christmas on our own.  Well, not really on our own.  We were surrounded by family and friends and plenty of generous offers to join in family festivities.  We hung with the Jansen/Syers clans Christmas Eve and day (thank you Cara and Wes for putting up with chaos AND a 3 day old all in one breath).  They handled the holidays with style.  Much more than I think I could have mustered.

We totally enjoyed the dude this Christmas.  He got into the Santa bit, while still seeming to understand that it's Jesus birthday.  At least we think he got it....doesn't flow all that well, but that's okay.  He was spoiled with gifts on Christmas morning, but enjoyed observing Mom and Dad getting gifts too, which was refreshing.  We had a lot of relaxing time with him and are trying to enjoy every second of it.  Although, I must say, I was more than ready to come to work yesterday.  5 days in a row of family Christmas love was plenty. 

 The reindeer dust that Dude sprinkled on the driveway, allowing Santa's deer to find our house.

 Oma's house was adorned with Christmas fun.  Dude ate it up!

 Cara, Wes and the kids partied like they didn't have a 3 day old.  My heroes. 

 Oma Bosch...the most amazing 90 something woman I've ever met. 

 The dad's playing in the backyard with the kiddos.  I believe they were racing to the snowman in this shot.  Dude actually beat Brady, which made us oh so proud.

 Oma and Opa.  Aren't they darling?

We left cookies and milk out for Mr. Santa.  Dude was NOT happy to find that Santa left a bite of the pretzel.

 

 Christmas morning!  Dude found his stocking full of presents from the big fat man in red.

 Duder's daycare provider, April, had the kids paint these and wrapped them to put under the tree.  Precious.  My favorite gift of Christmas.

Spoiled little man.  He loves his gears from Adam, Carin and the kids.

We did a lot of smiling over the weekend and shed tears every time we talked to my Gram.  Losing Jerry definitely put a damper on the holiday spirit for all of us.  My Gram is holding up remarkably well.  The funeral was yesterday and Mom and Dad will go back home tomorrow, so pray that she does okay on her own.  I know how lonely she's going to be and that makes me so sad.  Not a great holiday for her or for Jerry's family.  

We hadn't heard anything from Wyoming for about a week and were starting to get quite anxious about that.  On Sunday morning our case worker called, informing us that her husband's brother was murdered right before Christmas.  Horrible.  She obviously hasn't checked messages or emails and we understand why.  We're keeping her and the family in our prayers and hope that someone else can help carry this adoption as her stress load right now is off the charts.  Christmas can be a wonderful time, but man can it be a sad time too.  This year just wasn't that picture perfect Christmas, but we're oh so grateful that we have faith and a little baby who came to earth to bring hope and peace and grace.  

There's a video at the end of the post highlighting further dude cuteness.  We hope you had a Merry Christmas.  And we hope to be posting good news very soon!  

 Christmas day at the Syers.  Tons of new toys to investigate. 

          Little Landon.  Oh how I loved just sitting there holding him.  He's a little angel...an angel with a whole lotta' hair.