The All-American Family

BJ's dad's wife's family (my step-in-laws, if you can follow all that) celebrated Christmas last night. This is one of those families that everyone should have. They get together every year for a meal, and then they do The Program, which is a tradition going back generations. These folks are so talented. All the children sing and play piano. When they sing Christmas carols, they sing in 4 part harmony. And they're good! It was a good, old-fashioned Courier and Ives Christmas celebration, all about faith and family and food and fun. We had a blast.

We are so fortunate to be included and accepted by our step-families. We really have more than our far share of relatives to love, and who love us. And we aren't ever treated any differently by our steps than the non-step-relatives are. Last night, as they were lining the fourth generation up for the Christmas portrait, BJ and I hung back with our girls, thinking that they would want a picture with only the non-step kids and grandkids. When Bryce came over and took Claire from my arms and placed her in his son's arms for the picture, I felt so loved and accepted, and so blessed to be loved and accepted by all of these wonderful people.

As you can see in the third picture, Mary Grace didn't quite realize the significance of being included in the picture, and chose that moment for her meltdown du jour... But everyone was very gracious about it.

Anyway, I wish everyone could have a family like ours. And I am so grateful that we do.

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I may not have time to post again before Christmas. We have lots of Merry to make in the next 72 hours. I hope that wherever you are, that you know that you're loved. I hope that you have a holiday filled with faith, family, food, and fun. I hope that the magic and wonder of Christmas touches you, somehow, this year.

Merry Christmas, and thanks for being a part of our lives.