Christmas Eve Traditions

In my family the Christmas Eve tradition when we were very young was to go pick out a tree. We would start to decorate it and overnight it would come to life with more decorations and angel hair and tinsel -- it became magical. When we woke in the morning it was perfect and under the tree presents would overflow. 

Our entire family would come together and spend the day making beautiful memories. As time went on and we all grew older and created our own families our traditions changed and grew and we created our own. 

Rob and I work a lot of holidays. So our Christmas and Christmas Eve -as well as almost all other holidays- get moved to days that we can make them work for us and our schedule and still take part in the spirit of the season. 

Last night was our Christmas Eve since we both work tonight. We attended our new Church's Christmas Eve production. As a side note I am so thankful that they do a Christmas Eve-Eve production as well as Christmas Eve- they recognize that not everyone can make a true Christmas Eve service and for that I am so thankful! 

Our Christmas Production was called the Never Ending Story~ it was a beautiful production that brought me to tears a few times. First was this song by Steven Curtis Chapman that our talented musicians brought to life- The Glorious Unfolding

Lay your head down tonight

Take a rest from the fight

Don't try to figure it out

Just listen to what I'm whispering to your heart

Cause I know this is not

Anything like you thought

The story of your life was gonna be

And it feels like the end has started closing in on you

But it's just not true

There's so much of the story that's still yet to unfold

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding

Just you wait and see and you will be amazed

You've just got to believe the story is so far from over

So hold on to every promise God has made to us

And watch this glorious unfolding

God's plan from the start

For this world and your heart

Has been to show His glory and His grace

Forever revealing the depth and the beauty of

His unfailing Love

And the story has only begun

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding

Just you wait and see and you will be amazed

We've just got to believe the story is so far from over

So hold on to every promise God has made to us

And watch this glorious unfolding

We were made to run through fields of forever

Singing songs to our Savior and King

So let us remember this life we're living

Is just the beginning of the beginning

Of this glorious unfolding

We will watch and see and we will, be amazed

If we just keep on believing the story is so far from over

And hold on to every promise God has made to us

We'll see the glorious unfolding

Just watch and see (unfolding)

This is just the beginning of the beginning (unfolding)

How powerful! I have played it over and over and over and over.. you get the point. If we just keep on believing the story is so far from over..And hold on to every promise God has made to us.. We'll see the glorious unfolding!!

I felt it in my bones- the message, the lyrics, and the life that buzzed around our Church.  The next thing that truly hit home was the opening to the services where our Pastors Wife read the opening. She talked about time-- and how God knows what time everything is going to happen-- everything is going to unfold.. 

It was as though she was speaking to me directly. In other words stop fretting-- your story is unfolding just the way it is suppose to!! No need to stress! No need to worry! 

If you don't have any plans later today and want to check out our Church's productions of The Never Ending Story they will be broadcasting a live feed starting at 1:50pm, 3:50pm and 5:50pm- Shore Fellowship Online Campus. If you have an hour the story is beautiful and the talent is amazing. 

I hope that last night was the start of a new tradition for my family. I pray that you and your families are able to come together and share the story of Christmas, pray together for a blessed New Year, and spread love and joy. 

Merry Christmas from our home to yours! xo ~ Rob, Kasey & Swish

Happy ICLW~ December

Happy International Comment Leaving Week- or better known as ICLW! If you aren't familiar ICLW is a week where bloggers come together -catch up with one another and leave comments to let one another know we are out there and we are reading. Its an oppurtunity to read some new blogs and learn about what others -that you don't normally follow -are up to. If you are interested in participating you can learn more- here! As always thank you to Mel for organizing ICLW for all of us!

If this is your first time visiting us there is an easy catch up for our TTC Journey so far here. Right now we are on the brink of our first IVF Cycle and I am battling reoccuring Strep Throat. For those that normally follow along I am feeling a bit better today. I called out of work yesterday and did not get off the couch the entire day. I was diagnosed with another round of strep throat and a possible pneumonia (due to what I am bringing up when I am coughing.) I was placed on stronger antibiotics and told to rest, rest, rest. I have a lot going on this week- but I refuse to take on anything extra or above what I already have and when I have down time I will be laying down. 

About a week ago I had my trial transfer and SIS and it was pretty much a disaster- you can learn about how my exprience went here. All the findings were good and we are currently awaiting my immune system to reboot itself and my insurance company to authorize the IVF prior to being able to move forward.

We are some of the lucky ones -we have the ever rare IVF Insurance Coverage. Something I wish everyone was so lucky to have. My husband and I have been trying for over 3 years now and IVF would not be an option if it wasn't for this coverage- at least not right now. So after 6 IUI's we will hopefully be moving forward shortly with our IVF as we welcome in 2014. If you are the praying type- Prayers for health and healing needed as I need to be in my best health moving forward.

2013 has been a rough year for us- Rob lost his job in June and I found myself as the sole income for our household. Rob's Mom also battled breast cancer and his father fought off multiple infections due to his complex health issues. My father was without work and no longer was eligable for unemployment and my Mom was only brining in her dissability. Our families became closer thought as we all fought through this year together. We watched many of our friends welcome their own childeren this year and we continued to fight for our own. We cried many tears- some from sorrow- others of joy. While 2013 is on the way out- and I truly am glad to see it go since it was an uphill rough battle- we ended it with a true blessing.

Last night we met with some of our very best friends and they honored us by asking Rob and I to be the God Parents to both of their little boys. This is such a huge blessing to us- mainly because they would trust their boys with us knowing we aren't parents. We love those two little guys with all of our hearts already and there is no doubt in my mind that we would raise them and treat them with unending love. We felt so blessed last night. It was such a wonderful way to help us usher in 2014 and out 2013.

I hope as the Christmas Season is upon us that you too are able to find something to pick out of your year as a blessing. Even if you've dealt with unimaginable grief try to find a way to close out 2013 with some joy. Whether its finding the smallest thing-- or a wonderful blessing like was given to us- try to close out 2013 holding something special and joyful in mind.

I hope that if you struggled in 2013 that you will prosper in 2014. I hope your Christmas's are spent with family and love and joy. I hope that if you are hurting you are able to find something to bring you joy and love.I hope that if 2013 was a year of sickness for you or your loved ones that 2014 brings health and healing. I hope that 2014 is happier for so many of us.

Thanks for stopping by<3 If this is your first time visiting be sure to leave a comment so I can visit your way too!