Tuesday, January 3, 2012

An unforgettable Christmas

Yes, Christmas 2011 was a day we will not forget for a long time.  The flu hit our family strong and hard, and right in the midst of gift-giving, we were taking breaks to take care of weak, vomiting children.  Icky, I know.  I don't even like typing it.  Momma was sick too, so our hero Daddy bravely fought this battle alone.  So do you just postpone Christmas until everyone gets well?  Nope.  Not at all.  Even through their foggy sense of reality, these kids knew this was THE day to find out what was hiding behind all of that pretty wrapping paper.  

{Below} Notice poor Nate lying on the couch...  I can pretty much tell you for sure that Daddy was helping a poor, sick Brianna in the bathroom at this moment.  Ugh!
 {Below}  Everyone is back and ready to get started...


 {Below} Hubby's traditional reading of Luke 2 about God's gift, His Son, is the way we kick off "gift time."

{Below}  Each year, a dear supporting church sends a Christmas box months in advance.  The gifts inside are already wrapped and labeled and have been chosen specifically from a wish list we are asked to write out.

 {Below} Once again, our supporting church has outdone themselves!

{Below} Each person in our family received two gifts in our Christmas box... These are the second gifts.  Once again, Brianna received some more furniture to go in her Fisher Price Loving Family doll house.  I'm pretty convinced that Brianna's doll house has more modern conveniences than I have in my real house!





{Below} The next half of these pictures are of our gifts to each other.  Don't you just love to see what other people got?  I do!  We told our children that this year they would each get a "big" gift from Daddy and Mommy in addition to their stockings full of "little gifts."  We really splurged on Micah's "big" gift as you can see here...
 {Below}  And, true to baby fashion, he likes the wrapping more than the gift itself!
{Below}  Brianna recently outgrew her favorite dress of all time... a dress that had a matching doll dress.  For Christmas, we had a seamstress in our church make her a new set, made out of red curdoroy.  This was her "big" gift.
{Below}  Nate's "big" gift was a new chair for school!  Even as sick as he was, he could not contain a big smile at his excitement!

{Below}  And Davey got one too!  (Thank you, Mimi, for helping us buy these chairs... they were actually pretty much from YOU.)

{Below} We obviously had a chair theme going this year, because this was my gift from hubby... a new chair for my desk!  Yes, we definitely had a lack of seating in our house and were constantly lugging chairs all over the house for school, meals, and office time.  Problem solved now!  (And another big thank you to Bro. Larry and Mrs. Vicki for the Christmas money you sent that helped us get this beautiful chair.  I love it!)









{Below}  My gift to hubby: a couple of books and the DVD Gifted Hands.  David read the book Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story as a young boy and has always admired this man who grew up in a single-parent home and went on to become the first surgeon to successfully separate Siamese twins.  
 {Below} Stocking time!





{Below}  "Kinder Eggs" are a popular treat on our side of the world that our kids love.  They are hollow chocolate eggs (the size of a real egg) with a surprise plastic egg inside that opens to reveal a small toy.  We found these jumbo-sized ones made especially for the holidays, and our kids were thrilled to see how huge they are!
 {Below} The after-the-gift-opening mess, with each child busy with their new, fun surprises
Wow!  We have so much to be thankful for!  We spent Christmas 2010 in America since our Micah was nearly ready to be born then.  Two years ago, we were home and the backdrop to our Christmas tree in our living room was gray concrete slabs and sheet rock.  We have come a long way since that time!

When your whole family is sick like we were the week of Christmas, let me tell ya...

there's no place like HOME!

25 comments:

  1. Oh Jolene, I love your post! I can definitely relate to the "memorable" christmas part. We still have memories from 6 years ago...same thing, and it wasn't pretty!
    I also received the Duggar book!! I borrowed it from my sister in October and my Mom knew I was having a hard time giving it back! :o) So, she bought me one and I LOVE it! There's so many practical things in there!
    We also love the "Gifted Hands" movie! Just have the mute button ready for some of the music.
    Merry Christmas to all of the Sloans!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh I am so sorry you were all sick. I can see it in the childrens eyes. Oh poor babies. I am happy you shared the day even when under the weather, and I am so happy that your seating issues have been resolved!!

    May 2012 be filled with Him in Peace, Love, Truth, and Hope.

    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your poor sweet family!! I am so sorry that you guys were all sick, but it looks like you made the best of it and still had a good time!

    I keep meaning to say thank you again so much for letting me share your lovely post on Missionary Moms! I just loved it! In hindsight I wish I would have waited until after the New Year because the number of readers took a huge dip starting that week, but I trust that many women will continue to find it and be encouraged by it.

    Take care and Happy New Year!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I loved seeing all your gifts.Each year on my Lydia's birthday we give her a dress with a matching doll dress and it is often her favorite gift.I liked your chairs too.Sorry you all were sick.Hope you all have a happy,healthy new year.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looks like you had a great Christmas. I love Kinder eggs. I found them when I went to Mexico on a missions trip. They won't sell them in the US. Apparently the toys are a choking hazard. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Poor things! I could tell they felt bad with their little pale faces and droopy eyes. :o( I'm glad everybody managed to smile and enjoy themselves in spite of it all, though! I hope everybody is healthy again. That is no fun! :-/ Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Other than being sick :( It looked like a really nice Christmas

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great pics. The baby is so cute! He looks like he enjoyed opening his presents! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. You poor Dears!! I love that you all could smile even when feeling sick!! Blessings and love to all of you! ~Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  11. I hope you all are feeling better now. Not fun being sick on Christmas day. I loved seeing all of the pictures, especially of your adorable baby! Was he sick too?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Loved your tree and house and the kiddos are growing up too

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for sharing with us.

    ReplyDelete
  14. THANKS FOR THE CHRISTMAS PICTURES. YOU HAVE A PRECIOUS FAMILY. WHEN I SAW THE KIDS SITTING ON THE TILE FLOOR I THOUGHT......COLD.....THEN I REMEMBERED THAT YOUR FLOORS ARE HEATED...PRAISE THE LORD. VANESSA'S FLOORS ARE LIKE ICE. YOU CAN NOT SIT ON HER FLOORS AND I CAN'T EVEN WALK BARE FOOTED ON UM....
    WE LOVE YOU FOLKS. THANK YOU FOR SERVING IN THE LORD THERE. WE ENJOY BEING A SMALL PART.

    GIVE ALL THE KIDS A HUG FROM DEBBIE AND ME.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow - I'm so sorry that ya'll were sick!!! That's no fun:( But I'm so glad you all had a really great Christmas!!! You all looked so happy anyway:)) Thanks for all the pictures!!! The boy's chairs were amazing!!! And Brianna's dress/doll dress is amazing, too!!! It looks like something you'd get at Burlington Coat Factory or something! That lady sure is talented:) Your chair is beeeautifullll:))) I Love it:) And, one of my favorite pics was of the one where Bro. Sloan is reading the Christmas story and one of your boys is leaning on him:) I think that was so sweet - even if he was sick;) Anyway, hope everyone is all better by now!!! God Bless all of you:)
    Love and Prayers,
    HaLeY;)
    <3

    ReplyDelete
  16. So sorry that your little ones were wick on Christmas, but yet they look so sweet! Hope everyone is completely well by now. Happy New Year! Gail

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello, Jolene!

    I just took a quick moment at school to read your post and look at your pictures…….so sorry you were sick! I remember one time when I was little my cousin Rachel was sick all day on Christmas, and I remember thinking how awful that would be. I guess one good thing is you have lots of fun and excitement to help pass the time. And worst of all – mommy was sick too!! I really enjoyed looking at the pictures and reading about your day.  How Micah is growing….and so adorable….I see much of his big brothers and sissy in him. And what cute little teeth!!! Brianna has changed a lot too – and is just adorable. Nate and Davey are getting pretty big….and handsome as ever! Love you and miss you – and I hope you’re all feeling better now!!

    Just wanted to pop in and say hello real quick. Love you!
    Malinda

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sorry to hear y'all were sick for Christmas. My mom and dad were sick that day too. My mom didn't even get to eat Christmas dinner and they both threw up that night. It was the first time my whole family had been together for maybe 10 years. It was a lot of fun but chaotic too.
    Anyways, I enjoyed seeing your pictures. By the way, we had Kinder eggs in Canada too! I hope you are feeling better. Happy New year my friend!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Jolene,

    I love following your blog. I am so sad you were sick for Christmas but it seems like you still got to enjoy it. I love the Duggar's as well as the BAtes family (they have a great blog too).

    Hope you have a blessed year and I am praying for all of you. I was also wondering if there is a way to send you a private message?

    Yours,
    Alexis

    ReplyDelete
  20. Alexis,

    You can e-mail me at:

    sloans2ukraine (at) netzero (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hope everyone is doing lots better health-wise. SO thankful you & your dear family were able to have a wonderful Christmas in your home there on the mission field. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sorry your family was sick, but it looks like they enjoyed their Christmas anyway! I love your gifts, I hope to get 19 and counting and their book also. :)
    I have their fist book, it was really good.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for sharing...and yes, I like seeing what friends get for CHRISTmas too. When my daughter came back from Germany she brought me a Kinder egg..bestest chocolate..that was back in the early 90's...thanks for reminding me. Y'all have a blessed, prosperous 2012.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Jolene!

    Thanks for sharing your Christmas with us all! I too love to see what others receive for Christmas or birthdays! I always thought I was kind of noisy for thinking that but maybe not. Just happy to see others receive gifts. I'm sorry your family and you were not doing too good but hoping you are all well now.

    Love & Prayers,
    Roberta

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jolene,

    I'm so glad you had such a special Christmas, although you all were sick. (How terrible!)

    I can't help but think of last year and what great fun we had!

    Love,
    Anna

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your encouraging comments! "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25