Happy Eid d Messaih

Santa did know where I lived!!!

waitin on the gals to wake up! I always wake everyone up on Christmas morning!!!

we had a Christmas Eve Brunch just like last year, only my favorite gals were missin! 

my little tree filled with goodies from my favorite people!!

Well Christmas here was amazing!! The only thing it was missing was my family, Dan, and my friends from home. For me this year, it was filled with my family here, fun christmas gifts from home, seeing my family and Dan and his family on the computer, opening gifts together, and my favorite part of the whole day - reading the real story. Erin read it this year and as she read it, in the background softly playing through the speakers was the old song, "we are the reason that he gave his life, we are the reason that he suffered and died..." What perfect timing this quiet holiday morning. He is the reason that we wrap gifts and have cookie parties, the reason why we make our favorite mac and cheese just like mom used too, the reason why we give intangibles and play Secret Santa... He's the reason, yet we were the reason that He came!! This Christmas, I was reminded of that and it was sweet. 

So here are a few blessings of my day...

-coming home to a package waiting on me from two sweet friends back home- what a sweet Christmas morning surprise! Dad's timing is perfect!!

-talking to my family and seeing their faces on the webcam! I taught Savannah how to make silly faces on the computer!

-watching Dan and his family open the gifts that I sent for them and opening mine from them- I am a blessed girl!

-receiving a text message from my language teacher and a phone call from the bakery gal, they know it's a special day for me, but how I want them to celebrate too! 

-talking to Steve and Eloise, waking them UP, and wishin them a merry christmas! 

-extended christmas- movie with Dan, even though we had to pause it b/c I couldn't keep my little eyes open

-receiving a gift from Santa- he does know where North Africa is!!! 

-eating PORK on Christmas day, and mac-n-cheese like my grandma makes it, she would be proud! 

-wakin up the other girls just like I would back home! I'm always the first to wake on cmas morning!!! 

-knowin that people back home were lifting me up! I felt strength and peace that I know didn't come from me!!! 

Happy Eid Messaih!!!