A Winston-Salem Anniversary

As we get closer to December 25th, we are enjoying all of the pre-Christmas festivities, including celebrating our anniversary. Although it initially took some coaxing to have a Christmas wedding, I love that our anniversary falls during this time of year with all of the lights and beautiful decorations. In years past, it has been so fun to travel to different cities at Christmastime: Asheville for our 1st, Charlotte (2nd), Wilmington (3rd), Williamsburg (4th), Blowing Rock (5th), Pinehurst (7th), and New Orleans (8th). With our 6th anniversary and with a newborn again for our 9th, a night away wasn't feasible, so both times we have celebrated here in Winston-Salem. Our evening started out with a quick photo shoot at home followed by a nice dinner at one of our all-time favorite restaurants, 4th Street Filling Station. Our 5:15PM reservation allowed for a stroll through Wake's campus and a final Winston-Salem staple, Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Tonight was our first date since having Eli, and we certainly enjoyed the time just the two of us. We hope to get on Grammy's calendar for another date night soon!

In these other days leading up to Christmas, we have been staying quite busy. This past Thursday, we had our most successful Santa visit to date at the holiday party at Arbor Ridge where Great Grandma lives. While most of the party-goers were grown adults and senior citizens, there was a Santa for the younger guests in the group, and surprisingly, Emmy went right up to him and sat on his lap. After a little prompting from Mommy, she told Santa that she wanted Fancy Nancy books. Luckily there were no tears, and it seems she has turned over a new leaf with the big guy in red. Since that visit, she has continued to point out Santa images wherever we see them, and she loves saying "Ho, ho, ho!" 

On Saturday, we went to Star for Carlin's birthday. She turned 25 on December 11th, and rather than sharing her day with Christmas, we were sure to have a separate celebration with presents and cake. Eli had not yet met Aunt Carlin; he also met Uncle Goosie, Aunt Darby, and the rest of his cousins. After sleeping during the drive there, he was awake and alert for the rest of the afternoon. Although he is still sleeping several hours of the day, I am noticing that he is awake more and more. He has beautiful blue eyes like his sister, and he will follow around noise and movement. Unfortunately Uncle Kyle was not able to make it for the birthday party, but Eli will meet him soon when we are all together again on Christmas Day. 

We were back in Kernersville on Sunday, and that evening, we went to our church's Candlelight Service. All the kids (Zander, Maddox, Emmy, and Eli) stayed in the service and were able to get a taste of "big church." We sang several Christmas hymns and took communion, and the service ended with carols and the lighting of candles. Aunt Megan brought along coloring books and crayons, which helped keep the kids busy. However, there was still a good amount of "shhh"-ing during the service! Admittedly I was a little distracted with Emmy and Eli since it was our first time in church as a family of four, but I do love this service every year, both at Triad Baptist and at Burkemont when I was growing up. It is a good reminder that amidst cookies and Santa, presents and parties, Jesus is the reason for the season. I pray that Emmy and Eli will soon know the real meaning of Christmas and its significance in the life of a Christian. 

"Again Jesus spoke to them saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of the world.' "

- John 8:12