Growing up, I always learned that God will give us what we need even when we don’t know it. I have heard it over and over, but don’t always recognize it when I experience it. We had one of those times this Christmas.

Kaitlyn woke up two days before Christmas with a stomach bug. She was sick all night and into the morning Christmas Eve. We had decided that if she didn’t get sick after the morning then we would go on with our plans and head to Ben’s family’s house. She seemed to be doing better, but then very soon after our cut off point she threw up again. We knew that we would not be going to share Christmas with Ben’s family and that we would be going it alone this year. We have never done that before, so I was initially very sad. I’m used to a house full of people and laughter and food. What would it be like with just 5 of us? I couldn’t fathom it!

We woke up Christmas morning and let the kids open presents (presents that we shouldn’t have had but God provided for). They are all at such great ages and were ecstatic over every little thing. Owen was more excited about his Wiggles coloring book than anything else. When we got through the presents I made a big breakfast. We were able to play with the kids all day and just have time together. I made a lasagna that someone from the church gave us and homemade bread and apple cake. We read the Christmas story and I made cupcakes and we sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.

I was exhausted by the end of the day from all the preparations, but I was fully satisfied knowing that I had prepared for MY family. The thing that really struck me was that God was giving us time together at home. We have been on the go all year starting in January and there was such a joy in the kids just to be home playing with their stuff in their rooms. I know they would have been happy at Nana and Grandad’s house, but I believe that God provided this time for us. He MADE us stop and take it easy and enjoy being a family together. I am so grateful that He knows what we need more than we do!