Christmas With Mima and Opa! (Part 1)

So Christmas number 3, the Malloy Christmas in Carroll, was a no go. A little storm blew in Thursday/Friday and made the roads a little sketchy. We thought we could probably make it there, but didn't think we would like getting snowed in if the roads were worse Friday night on the way back to my parents. So, with our new parental status we decided to take our time on Friday morning and then head to Mima and Opa's house for Christmas Eve. The plan had always been to spend Christmas Day with them.

Christmas Eve was such a nice day. We were able to take it slow and not rush at all. I had spent a good deal of my energy the day before getting ready for our Christmas (Phew, there were only two of us, how did all of our Grandmas do those huge meals for tons of people!). Anyways, I wasn't in any big rush to get ready to go, but Casey was a huge helper and kept me motivated. =) We got to my parents and had a nice time just hanging out, and then we went to the Lutheran Church of hope Christmas Eve service. The church service was great! The pastor there is a wonderful speaker and he gave such a great message emphasizing how God finds us. He wasn't trying to force or guilt anyone into Christianity, but showed a genuine heart for the people in the service. There was great singing, some acting out of the Christmas story, and even an awesome chalk artist to the side who created a beautiful picture of Mary and Jesus which was displayed at the end. It was really a great combination of artistic ability and Biblical truth to bring in Christmas Day.

We also experienced some humor during the service. *Disclaimer... Guys might not find this all that funny... you have been warned =)* Well, I knew that there was the potential of Irelyn needing to eat during the service. There was a chance she would make it, but I didn't know for sure because sometimes she goes a long time and sometimes she doesn't. So, Casey held her for most of the first part of the service, but then she started to get a little restless, and me being nervous all the time that she is going to abruptly disrupt anything I was ready to run out and feed her. But, the problem was that I was enjoying the service so much, I just didn't want to leave! (and I'm really disgusted to nurse in the bathroom). Well, the service was a candlelight service, so the auditorium was dark, so I got the idea that I could nurse her there. I mean, we were sitting in the back and come on, with my blanket on no one can see a thing! I really don't have a problem nursing in public, because I do it discreetly, and I really get tired of the hiding thing all the time... woops!, I need to stop there that's my recent ranting topic... back to the service. Anyways, so it's dark, I throw my blanket over and I have this super convenient top on that I can just pull down, I get my shirt ready, take the baby...AND the lights come back up!!! For the entire service the lights had been off, why must they come on now?!? So, in our shock my mom and I totally overreact... she suddenly pulls my blanket off not knowing that I already had my shirt ready! Them I'm fumbling with the baby, I feel like things are flying... she loses her paci on the dirty floor...it was a mess. I'm sure my mom felt bad about that whole mess, she didn't know what came over her, I just think it is incredibly funny! =) So, I fumble my shirt up before everyone realizes it and I flash them all, and the lights go back down! Then, in a flurry we rush out of the row because Irelyn was really getting restless since she was just fooled into thinking she was going to get to eat! =) Come to find out, she didn't actually want to eat. She was content with me bouncing her in the back, which was nice because I didn't have to miss the service, or the amazing singing that took place at the end. (You can get an idea of what I'm talking about by youtubing John Cheatam, Lutheran Church of Hope...of course, I've got my own Josh Groban/Michael W. Smith at home, so I'm definitely not looking for new music... but this was a fun performer to watch sing the new version of "I Heard the Bells"). Then at the end, we all lit our candles to sing Oh, Holy Night as a congregation, and it was just a beautiful, reverent sight to see all of the candles lit and to hear such a beautiful hymn sung.

It was a late night, but we had a great time together and at the service. We got to bed about 3... I think Irelyn was excited for Santa to come ;). Up next, the rest of Christmas with Mima and Opa... and lots of pictures.