The Citrowske Christmas

Christmas Memories

Presents from California

Christmas was amazing at our house this year. We just had a blast. The girls were so excited about everything this year. We went to church for xmas eve and Santa even came so the kids thought that was awesome. Then we went to Jay's dad's house and had a great time there. Came home and the kids got to bed so Santa could come. We could hardly sleep that night waiting. I was up at 4 and 4:30, 5 and 5:30 and 6. Finally got up at 6 and had a cup of coffee and I woke up my mom to enjoy a cup with me. The kids woke up at 6:15, Maddi first and came down the hall and saw me and saw that Santa came. She ran in and yelled at Jay, "he came, he came". And then went into her sister's room and yelled that Santa came. Macie's eyes popped open wide and up she came. They could not believe it. But Macie wanted to know where Santa was??? So we enjoyed presents and laughter and playing. Then my sister came over with her family and I made a champagne brunch for everyone with egg bake, buttermilk waffles and sausage and bacon. We all enjoyed the family time and food and presents. We just thank God for the family that we have and that we were all able to be together. Then we spent the night ice fishing and playing with the Wii that Santa brought us. Maddi just loves the Wii and Macie also wants to play. Saturday we head off to my grandma Joans for Christmas, looking forward to it.

Gone Fishing Christmas night

Madelyn mastering the Wii

Maddi and her new dance mat Christmas Morning

Macie dancing Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas!

So Joseph and Mary were on there way to Bethlehem, while they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstbotn, a son. She wrapped him in the cloths and placed him in a manager, bcause there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appears to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, "Do no be afriad. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great compnay of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest."

I encourage you to read Luke 2 and just rejoice in the real meaning of Christmas. How awesome it is. Have a very blessed and Merry Christmas.

The Real Meaning

Reflection of Christmas Time

Here we are 3 days before the whole Christmas craziness begins. We have had a blizzard in MN this weekend with temps in the 40 below range so most have been in doors all weekend. We missed out Church program today. I have taken that time and enjoyed it with my family. I have be able to get some work done around the house that has needed to be done. Yet, I have also taken the time to teach my girls all about Christmas and the real reason behind it. Which we started today (even though a few days early) we made a cake for Jesus's birthday. A way that really sinks in for the kids to understand that Christmas is NOT all about the presents and santa. There is a real reason why we do what we do.

A celebration of our Savior Jesus Christ. I truly just love this time of year, there is something about it that is just so MAGICAL. All the Christmas music that is so beautiful and it is really taking the time to let the words speak to you about why we run around with our heads cut off shopping and the long lines and spending more money then we had planned but wanting to make that person or all the persons in your life feel special this Christmas season. Watching the girls talk about Christmas and singing the Christmas songs and baking with them and family. Making Christmas cards and reading cards that you receive. Getting ready for that special day that day that is all about Jesus. That is the real meaning behind Christmas and this awesome time of year.

I read a story to the girls today,

The Story of Christmas:

Do you know why we give gifts at Christmas? We give gifts because it is Jesus's Birthday.

Long ago an angel told Mary she would have a baby named Jesus.

Mary and her Husband, Joseph were very happy. They had a lot to do to get ready for the baby.

First, they had to take a trip to Bethelem. Mary rode a donkey and Joseph walked.

When they got to Bethlehem, many people were there.

Mary and Joseph were tired, but there was no place for them to stay.

They slept on a bed of hay in a stable with a cow and the donkey.

That night Baby Jesus was born.

Angels told the shepherds, "Jesus is born!" You will find him lying in a manger.

Wise men also followed the star to the stable and Baby Jesus.

They all brought Baby Jesus presents because they loved him.

We give gifts at Christmas to show our love. And to say "Happy Birthday Baby Jesus."

May God bless you this Christmas.

My Poor Poor Girls

Well, I am afriad to report that the flu has hit the Murphy girls on Thursday. Maddi threw up a few minutes before Jay picked her up from daycare on Thursday. The poor girl. She came home and slept almost all night and was doing pretty good by later on Thursday night, that is the kind of flu to get I tell you. Poor little Macie did not know what to think of Maddi throwing up. She has never seen that before so she asked why "sauce" came out of Maddi's mouth. I guess that was a good word to call it. Well, Macie was starting to feel a little under the weather but I think she did not know what it meant, she was really whinny around 8 last night and I kept asking her what was wrong and she said "I don't know." And she would stick out her tongue and ask me if "she had sauce in her mouth." Getting ready for bed I put a towel down on the carpet by her bed because I was afraid what was going to be happening and I have been there before when they throw up on the carpet and I wanted to prevent that, Macie freaked on me and screamed at me that she did not have sauce in her mouth. She was so scared and worried about the flu. About 9:30 she started throwing up, the poor thing. Went to sleep until 11 and then woke up until 3 every 20 mintues throwing up. It was horrible and she was so weak. The last time she threw up was 8:45 and slept until 11 and now she is getting better, running around. I am struggling because of lack of sleep. What a night! Thank you God for healing Macie though. Now we are in for a blizzard warning for Saturday and Sunday in MN, fun fun.

The weather outside is frightful

It is winter in MN today. The temp when we woke up was 28 and now at 4 pm it is -4 below. The wind is about 40 mph and it is snowing which mean almost the whole state is in a blizzard warning. The weather outside is frightful but it is sure delightful in the Murphy house today. We have been making cookies and we decided to make a gingerbread house. We had so much fun!!! I love days like this. Christmas is coming so fast it is some awesome to have days to enjoy doing things together. Enjoy the week. Last full week before Christmas!!! God Bless you!

The weather outside is frightful

Our awesome Evening

We had a awesome Friday night. The night first started with celebrating my Godson Chance turning 6. We had pizza and a party with family. It was a great time. Then we headed to the "Go Fish" Christmas Concert which was just awesome!!!! The kids had so much fun. The danced the whole time. My aunt Jenny and her children Chance and Camryn and along with my grandma enjoyed the concert with Jay and I and the girls. The concert was just amazing. I am hooked on Go Fish concerts. For those you that don't know who Go fish is, they are a christian band that sing biblical music for kids which is considered newborn to 100, that will not drive parents crazy and teach the kids about jesus. There music is so awesome. I think that Jay even enjoyed the concert!!! We sat there listening to the meaning of Christmas and Christmas music about our Savior, Jesus Christ for 2 hours. It was awesome!!!

Our Awesome evening

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It's been an interesting day so far. Jay left for his ice fishing trip to lake of the woods today. Just in time for a snow storm to come. Not sure how much snow will be coming at this point but it is not nice out right now. Snowing and icy roads and blowing snow. Anyone in MN that needs snow to get in the christmas spirit, here you go. I do not need it, I dislike the snow a lot and live in the wrong state. So anyways the snow made a slight turn in events in our house today. My mom was going to come to Adrian for the week but instead we are at my mom's in Marshall for the week because of the snow and for once I don't have to worry about the snow and roads. Yeah. Looking forward to going to the "go fish" concert on Friday. I even got Jay to go. I am going to be going with my aunt and children and my grandma. Should be a really great time. God bless you.