I know the holidays have come and gone and that I've shared most of the things in this blog already, but I still wanted to put all the special memories together in one place so I don't forget what Christmas in 2017 was like. 

It was an unusual holiday season for us but we still wanted to make it as special as possible. We planned to use this season of transition to our advantage and sneak away for a few days over Christmas at a local Airbnb. So, we started the month by getting a little tree that we could take with us. It was simply magical to decorate this year with Emet more excited about every bit of it. 

I think I ended up loving the unexpected and anticipated memories equally. The hard work we put into creating a comforting and homey feel even though we don’t have a space of our own right now, the first cute Airbnb canceling on us a couple days before Christmas Eve, and booking a second place that was “not so cute” - then having to be super inventive to make it magical. Taking three trips back and forth on Christmas Eve, then dropping and losing a bunch of our food, and the constant state of tired I felt. All of this mixed with the smell of ham cooking and Emet getting so excited to see the living room all lit up with lights on Christmas morning. Emet playing new “songs” on his guitar for us, running into his teepee for the first time, and getting lost in imagination with his fire truck. Taking almost two days to open the small amount of gifts we had for him because he wanted to play with one at a time. The dear loved ones we got to hug tight and catch up with. The magical snowfall we got on Christmas Eve. Being together with nowhere to go and laying on the floor playing with toys. 

It was all of this together that I always want to remember, how I’ve never felt like more of a team with Calvin and how wonderful it was that the four of us were together (Calvin, Emet, & Monica), and the sweet and gentle atmosphere we created together - no matter what our circumstances. It was very merry, indeed. 

I made some bookmarks with Emet as an extra little gift for loved ones this year. Some were of Emet’s finger paint art and others were reindeer made with his thumbprint. You guys, I thought this project would never end. But I’m glad we did it. 

The loveliest Christmas morning. I mean, how great is it that I got to play with a bunch of toys with Calvin and Emet all day!?

I think the holidays are just an excuse for me to eat all of my favorite foods, but I'm ok with it. 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
 

|  Credits: Author - Jacintha Payne; Photography - Calvin and Jacintha Payne and Ali Marsh  |