The post-Christmas pre-new year throw it all in together post :-)

That’s that then.

It’s all over.

And all I can say is Praise God, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

If you have been reading here for any length of time at all, you can tell that I don’t over-do the Christmas Spirit and so like most people (who just won’t admit) it I’m thankful that’s its over for another year.

And when I say it’s over I truly mean it is over.

The kids here can vouch for that as Daddymac went back to work this morning we’ve just spent all morning removing any trace of Christmas we could find, and you know what? I’ve decided I prefer the house without all the trappings

We’re going visiting tomorrow and I just had to get the hard work done before we had our last family day out for the season.

There are some parts of Christmas that I do like in spite of most thinking I’m related to Scrooge. I like it when my kids don’t go mad when we open the living room door on Christmas morning, I like that they walk in slowly and ask permission to open their presents (they didn’t take this after their mother). I like it when they are pleased with the little things as much as the bigger things. I like giving a little something to someone who isn’t expecting a gift, as after all, it is better to give than to receive. I especially like it when the dishes are all cleared up on Boxing day and someone says “that’s it for another year”

Speaking of unexpected gifts I just have to show you these bits and bobs.

As a family we had quite a few unexpected gifts this year, how blessed are we to have such good friends, I am thankful for them.

This little package was given to us by some very dear friends with a little note to have one of our traditional Friday night treat nights on them! What an unexpected surprise!

What a great way to bless another family - I hope to use this idea in future

And can I just say that this is now exactly 6 days SIX DAYS I SAID after this gift has been unwrapped and I haven’t thought about devoured that bar of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Chocolate which was obviously intend just for me which only goes to show that my self-control is abounding to heights it never has before.

Next up is this excellent book which came for our kids from another great friend,

I wasn’t familiar with this series but I see from the back of the book you can get loads of different “I spy” books. The good thing about these books are they can suit any age group so all my crew love it. I would really recommend these books for kids of all ages. Thanks for introducing them to us Miss Polka Dots!

Then there was the parcel which arrived on Saturday, what fun we had with that one which had travelled far to get to us

Everyone in the family did well out of that one as you can see

New tops for the boys and snazzy tights for Princessmac We were so pleased. Thanks Mrs G!! Dad is looking forward to his coffee, he just needs to finish of his current packet as you well know coffee is an art in this house and these things will be appreciated all in good time

and me?

Oh yes I’m well pleased as I’m well known to have the coldest feet in the country!!

Kim Shay eat your heart out!!

Or what about these….

Oh Kim, as I my feet burn inside these I can only think of your fingers blistered from all that knitting

Mrs G please let me know did you knit these yourself?? Hidden talent?

I received another lovely gift this year which has taken me back into one of my past hobbies. I’m hoping to post on it later. Anyone care to guess what my gift was? (People who live in this house are exempt from this competition).

To be sure we have many friends who have blessed us in many ways this year, we are thankful for each and every one of you even if you didn’t get a special mention and photos up-loaded to prove your kindness to us. Be sure we appreciate you all.

It appears this is the post of up-loading pics so if you only dropped by to check out what the Mac kids got for Christmas…..

now you know

It’s a recurring theme in our house that one child (mention no names) does all he can to ruin pictures. (Says she who has her eyes closed).

As I look forward to the new year I’m hoping to use this blog more and more to the glory of God. Indeed when I started blogging my intention was to use it as a means of keeping in touch with those we know far and near and while this is useful (if they actually read it) I have found more readers among those who are trying to promote Christ and Him crucified from their little corner of cyberspace. I’m not hot on resolutions as they don’t often come off so we’ll see how it goes from here.

Now that this post probably breaks all previous records on this blog it’s time to go de-Christmastise another area of my house, I just want to thank those of you who drop by and make all this keyboard bashing worthwhile. You have indeed been a blessing to me over my few months of blogging.

Here’s to a New Year of blogging that’s beneficial to the souls of many.

Every Blessing to you and your families for 2008.

Mummymac.