P365 - 2013 - Day 359 - Christmas joy

P365 - 2013 - Day 359 - Christmas joy

This is Christmas joy.  The kids (led by The Princess) have been campaigning hard for an iPod. Well actually, she has been leading the parade for a cell phone but we put the kabosh on that one...so she peddled back and joined forces with her brothers for a full blown campaign for an iPod touch.  Letters were written to Santa, dissertations were given at dinner explaining the need for this device, and they were not above simply begging.  My Wonderful Husband and I heard their pleas, listened to their power point presentations (I jest...), and withstood their begging.  I was beginning to think that our children had secretly taken a job at Apple without my knowledge...which really wouldn't be a bad idea if it meant a company discount... either they were working for them or they had begun working in marketing and Apple was their newest client.  Am I painting a clear enough picture of the work that they put in to asking for this as a gift?  It was becoming exhausting. But My Wonderful Husband and I discussed it and decided that it would actually be a pretty good gift for them and we let Santa know we had this one... We held this off until all of the presents were opened (because, come on.. that was just fun...) and I wrapped them in large boxes with lots of filler inside so they had to dig.  But when they reached the bottom, the result was worth all of the dinner time conversations about the wonders of Apple.  It was worth it to see the look of joy on their faces and the great big hugs and thank yous...This was what Christmas joy looked like this morning and I am so glad I captured a picture of that moment.. but more importantly was the peace, love, and joy that the rest of the day contained with time spent together as a family.  Merry Christmas! xo

*The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. - Burton Hillis*