Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Christmas 2007

We trust that everyone had a great Christmas. We had a great time... hopefully you will be able to tell by the photos. We have enjoyed relaxing and playing... the decorations are down and the house is ready to be cleaned, but since a maid didn't come in my stocking I will have to get on that tomorrow! Enjoy the photos!

Monday, December 24, 2007

It's Christmas Eve

We just wanted to say Merry Christmas from our family to yours. We have had a wonderful Christmas Eve full of fun, memories and new traditions. We relaxed and visited with friends most of the day.

This evening we went to Gigi and Granddads for dinner, were the new ball pit awaited him. It was HUGE hit. He loved it a lot! Hopefully you can tell by the pics. After dinner we each opened one gift a Zoeckler Family Tradition. I got Under Armor socks... who would have ever thought I would get so excited about running socks.

This picture is just pricesless to me. My boys playing football!!! Daddy is truly our little one's hero!After presents we loaded up and went to look at Christmas lights. Through a couple of neighborhoods and then to the local fire station. The light show was amazing. When you pulled up they told you what radio station to tune into, the music and lights were n'sync and it was magical.

After that we went home, put out cookies for Santa and said our prayers and John Hunter went to bed. Grandad and Eric played with the Wii...also a new family tradition. And mom and I attempted to put some toys together... but after much fail daddy had to step in.

John Hunter is snuggled warm in his bed.
Cookies for Santa a must daddy said.
When we said our prayers tonight,
we thanked Jesus for you on this Holy Night!


Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Could not be more proud

We have had a great weekend. Eric's Christmas party was a huge success and we are still enjoying the leftovers. I am actually debating on whether or not to eat a piece of Red Velvet Cake right now or not... We have not done much all weekend, but it was been wonderful. I got almost all my shopping done.. with the exception of 3 gifts:) It has been really cold, windy, rainy and snowing so other than church this morning we have not gotten out... oh wait.. John Hunter and I made a trip to the local Hobby Lobby.

But the big news.... today John Hunter was playing in Eric's office while he was playing Madden and I was in the kitchen wrapping some presents. John Hunter came in carrying a piece of trash and showing it to me and talking. I watched him as he walked right to the trash can. Opened it up (the trashcan looks like a cabinet) threw the trash away and shut the trashcan. Then he clapped. I have never been so proud. He already knows how to clean up after himself. I was thrilled.

From there it was down hill seeing how we REFUSED to take an afternoon nap. I mean after 45 of SCREAMING in his crib we gave up!!! Oh well...

We don't have too busy of a week. John Hunter has Mom's Day Out Monday and Tuesday and I need to get his teacher gifts, but other than that I don't plan on doing much. Oh wait... the firehouse has an amazing light show and you tune your car radio to a certain station and the music goes along with it... he will LOVE it!

Until next time...

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Prince of Peace

Two years ago at Christmas, Eric and I were furiously trying to finish building our home so that we could move in before the return of our Lord. It was absolutely the most stressful time of our marriage to date. There was not much holiday cheer. We chose not to bother with decorating since we had enough to deal with between the house and family on the way.

Last year was going to be the most wonderful Christmas of all time. It was going to be one that we talked about for years to come. We had an adorable two-month-old to add to all the joy of the season. It was his first Christmas, so we would need to document every little thing that happened and make everything as special as possible. We had a very cute house to decorate to our hearts' content. And boy, did we. Looking back, I can see that I was putting, hmmmm, just a leetle bit of pressure on, well, everyone and everything for it to be nothing less than magical. It makes me tired just thinking about it. And, honestly, I made no room in my heart for the baby Jesus. No room at all.

This year is going to be different. The name of the game is peace. Financial peace. Family peace. Peace in our schedule. Peace inside my house. (With about half the decorations we have instead of it looking like I robbed Hobby Lobby.) Peace outside my house. (With about half the Christmas lights we had last year, when Eric channeled Clark Griswold). Peace in my expectations. Peace in my heart with God.

Peace is something I will fight for this year. I want to enjoy this Christmas without all the self-inflicted pressure, unreasonable expectations, and needless distractions. I need there to be room for the baby Jesus, who, incidentally, is our peace.

I think if Mary had given birth to Jesus in 2007, she might have gone on eBay and ordered some custom-painted letters that spelled out his name on the wall. She might have emailed a picture of his crib bedding to the artist so that she could make it all match. To spell P-R-I-N-C-E O-F P-E-A-C-E would have cost Mary an arm and a leg. She might have even hoped Joseph wouldn't notice the $150 to PayPal on their bank statement. But those 13 letters are worth all the money in the world. They're the most lavish, expensive, mind-blowing, life-changing present we could ever give or get.

Colossians 3:12-17
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Happy Birthday Hayden

Yesterday was John Hunter's best bud's 1st birthday. Hayden was so sweet to invite us to his party. And guess who was there... old St. Nick! And John Hunter did not want to be his friend! Just take a look at the photos that follow.

We have been busy this last week. Eric and I were out of town in Easton, OH for the MetLife Christmas party! We left of Friday morning REALLY early. Eric was in a meeting all day, and I shopped. If you have never been to Easton, OH it is a MUST. It is technically Columbus, but this is a small area. There are cobblestone street, carriages, trolleys, etc. that take you all over the 88 acres of shopping. After Eric's meeting we all ate at Brio and it was delicious. We had a great time.

We came home Saturday, and John Hunter was so glad to see us. He stayed at GiGi and Granddads. They had a great time.. although he did NOT sleep. I think he just missed us! Then we went to the big birthday bash.
Today we went to church and just hung out at home. We have a busy week with Christmas parties and plays. Eric and I are hosting the Metlife Lexington Office Christmas party on Friday at our home so that will consume my whole week.