Christmas Time is Here

The Drake Hotel

Judy is serenaded by a high school violinist!

Evan though we are in the midst of construction with the baby's room (this week we are in the painting process), me packing up and moving out of my office (while taking on new clients), and saying goodbye to my wonderful assistant, Nicky, as she goes from part-time employee to freelancer (boo, I don't get to see her all the time now), we have found the time to make some Christmas memories this year. With all of the business swirling around us, Joe and I really want to make sure to keep focused on the real reason we celebrate what is more than a holiday. Christmas isn't about gifts, parties, and shopping, but the birth of Jesus Christ--our amazing Savior. This year, in particular, I want to savor the story of Jesus' birth, to put myself in Mary's shoes as a pregnant woman. It's more than a bit awesome to dwell on this.

So, it is memories more than gifts that I want to receive this year. Time spent with family and friends reminiscing about the past year and making plans for 2008; looking into the future and praying for wherever God will take us next. Some of the time we have spent with friends and family lately include a dinner party hosted by our friends, the Jerozal's, where we laughed harder than we have in a looooong time! We were also invited to a wonderful party with Joe's parents, some of their friends, and our friends Judy and Justin. The party featured a group of teen violinists from Wisconsin who are extremely talented and entertaining and put us all in the holiday spirit with their selection of hymns, carols, and standards. Joe and I also had a "Christmas in the City" overnight at the Drake Hotel this past weekend, eating at our favorite restaurant, Le Colonial and going to see Wicked (fantastic, by the way!). We also enjoyed a stroll down Michigan Avenue on Monday morning before heading for home. Tonight we look forward to a Christmas gathering with our small group to eat and celebrate our new friendships.

As those little Peanut's characters sing so peacefully, "Christmas Time is Here." I just want to keep in mind what it's all about.