The 25th of December 2010

Well it's that time of year again - the 25th of Dec. 
It's the season to be jolly - so as soon as it is over we can go back to our grouchy selves (if we are grouchy of course). 


I have spent my time this year in Newport, North Carolina. I think this is my 3rd time in December. 
I remember I came into Charlotte NC on the 23rd of Dec 2008 when I was emigrating over here. We spent a few days in Newport, and then we went to Virginia to visit with Bob and Shelly (now BOSH Global Services). We also went to Williamsberg - which looks like a British town (they fly the British flag!). It was a really nice time. 
Then we came to Newport NC in December 2009 and I visited Bufort, which was a British colonial town. It was the home of Blackbeard the Pirate. There was some interesting history with some old looking houses. We also visited 'Mike's Farm' which was a Christmas tree farm with a hay ride that went through many displays of Christmas lights. They had a shop dedicated to Christmas decorations and gifts. No comment. 


Now it is 2010 and we are back. Solomon is older and is more trouble than last time. He has gained many new toys, but he seems happy playing with Michaela's cleaning set or trying to beat his cousins up. 


The day started about 5am when Solomon woke up and ran out of our room. Not that he was exited about the day in hand or presents - but he has been getting up like that recently. He was excited about spending time with his grandfather and his Thomas the Tank Engine computer game. 
Stacy and I tried to sleep a bit more as we had gone to bed around 12:30 to 1am the previous day. 
I think we managed to get up about 6 or 7am for some breakfast and Bible reading. 


I played with Solomon for a while. I particulaly liked the cyber rubber duck that was in the toy box..

Stacy roped me into wrapping some presents, which I did. Pauline suggested I wrap a present in a pizza box that she was going to throw out in the trash. For that classy look I wrapped my own present in that box. Stacy purchased it on behalf of someone else... 

I am thankful for the presents I received. A jumper, a fleece, a watch, a belt, some hankies, some peppermint patties and a plaque going on about spending more time with Solomon. 


Solomon got a bunch of toys. 
Here are some select pictures:

We also saw a movie called 'The Christmas Wish' which was a movie about a boy learning about his grandfather (who had passed on). His grandma suspects that he was having an affair because he wrote about this lady in his journals. Turns out this lady was the person responsible for killing the boys parents in a crash. The grandfather saw her because he was trying to forgive her. Sounds like the grandfather was some sort of Christian - but the movie does not actually say that (I don't think). Though he has a charitable spirit. 

We ate lots of food today. I made some mash potato - which was nice and tasty! We also had turkey and ham and gravy and biscuits and broccoli bake and pasta bake and sweet potato bake and pineapple and bell pepper bake. Not sure what else we will be eating in the week - but there is some curry in the fridge...

I feel like the only person  in the USA that does not like to celebrate 'Christmas' as it is called. 

At least in the UK I had other people around me that saw the faults in the whole thing and also made the conscious decision not to observe the festival. I know of one person living near me that does not like to celebrate - but he probably gets roped into it by his wife and family...

Though I have had to endure a lot of 'Christmas' celebrating in my life - it could be a lot worse - I could have a mother like the following: Christmas Fanatic

It's Church tomorrow so I look forward to hearing the preaching and so on. It is quite remarkable that they have such a large radio ministry that reaches the whole of NC and beyond. I heard some good preaching on FBN the other day by Curtis Hudson. Yes the guy who wrote 'Why I disagree with all five points of Calvinism'. At least he has a good grasp of the millennial reign of Christ though. 


I will try and update before the year is out with some possible new years resolutions...


Happy Holidays!! Enjoy that time away from work!


Regards,
Lance.