True Meaning of Christmas

This morning we read The Living Christ before we started opening presents. We took turns reading the different paragraphs. Layne read the last one and was emotional before he finished. That usually gets me started too. He shared his testimony and how he's so grateful for a Savior because he knows it's the only way he'll be able to see us again. He then talked about feeling and recognizing the spirit because we could feel the Holy Ghost was there. Megan had suggested before we started that we pray after reading it (loved that idea/love my kids)...so, we did that and the kids were ready to start with the gifts. I asked for just a second or two to say something. They were kind and sat to listen. I then told them about how I was so grateful dad was here with us today and even if it's the last Christmas we get to have him around, I'm very glad I know we'll get to see him again. I shared with them that I know that can only happen because of what Christ has done for us and that I will be eternally grateful. As soon as I said I was done...the kids really were ready to go. Layne went over by the tree and started to hand out presents. The kids had done pretty well - we had already had breakfast and the girls were already dressed and ready for the day. The kids had checked out what was in their stockings...but, other than that they hadn't done a thing with the gifts that were surrounding the tree. It's been different for us to have just our family together this year at our house. This is the first year we've done that since we've lived here (6 years) so it's a new thing for us.

Saturday Breakfast

The kids have dubbed Layne, "Chef Daddy". It was years ago that they figured out that he can cook and is great at creating new combinations of flavors. It's fun going to a restaurant with him and having him state that he could do something similar at home. The new creation is always a success. He gets excited about new kitchen gadgets.
When we bring food to a potluck, people know that I bring items that work just fine for the occasion. If Layne brings it...there's typically lots of happy sighs and requesting of recipes. I have given up on being the contributor of food for our family reunions. I will think for days about logistics and what will work, finally come up with something that will be sufficient, and start in on the necessary planning. Layne will let the subject stew for a couple of days, mention it at the last minute, throw it together, and the crowd goes wild. If there has been a memorable meal at a reunion...it's been the one Layne has dreamed up (usually). It's not like any of them are worthy of complaint. We have several people that know what they're doing. I'm not one of them. Layne tends to come up with something that can feed a crowd and be a little different at the same time.
Layne likes to cook a real yummy breakfast whenever possible. The best time to work that into the schedule is typically on a Saturday morning. This morning it was French Toast. He used cinnamon swirl bread and egg nog instead of doing the usual. It was the first time our family had tried it. Scrumptious. We also had some fruit and the kids had hot chocolate. (Thanks for the 'machine' G/M!) It was delicious!
I had a very brief..."What do we do when he's gone?" moment while he was flipping the French Toast. The kids know I will never think of such things. We'll have to come up with a new tradition. Maybe that's part of what I'll remember about this morning...tradition. There are certain things that we like to do that don't seem like a big deal at the time, but when variables are changed, we realize they are huge. I will always fondly remember Saturday Morning Breakfast with Layne.