**updated: Santa was here! and (new) Merry? Christmas

Click for slideshow of Christmas pictures. Too many to post on here. So those not family probably don't care much. Kids are having a good time with their toys and being together. They are playing very well together, and Blakely is even letting Tate push around her new carriage. We set up the blocks to have target competition practice. We had 5 different stations, and took turns shooting a block at each station. Once again, not real sure these presents are for the kids. hehe.

Merry Christmas.
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
added 10:26pm:
What a joyful day and season it is. Right? Isn't it supposed to be filled with joyful songs of Christmas, oh and Jesus, and the light shining on and in our lives? But I'm sure everyone out there in blogger-land knows and has experienced some not so joyful events that makes this day, especially this day, not so merry.
My heart is heavy and filled with sorrow and grief still for a dear friend of mine who lost her brother 1 year ago today to a drunk driver. It brings my "joyful" heart pain to recall what has been lost and missed in not having those family members around; grandmother, pappy, nanny, Noah....though they all have a place in my life.
In the celebration and excitement of Christmas, I think we need to give ourselves permission to set aside a moment to remember and lament. To weep with those who weep. For this day is no different than any other day for those who have lost loved ones, or those who have lost health, or those of us who just wish things could be a little bit better this year. And we sigh in pain with our brothers and sisters in Christ, hurting from that piece that is missing either in our expectations of what today should really look like or the inability to bring back that tight hug from a friend, brother, mom, dad, grandparent or child.
John 1:5, The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
Even in our darkest moments, the hope, the joy, the peace and the love of Christ our light is able to be found. I pray that light of Love to shine tonight for you.