Our First Christmas

Being in a new country (where only foreigners celebrate Christmas) definitely has a different feel to it. We were able to get a Christmas tree and a few other decorations, but once you leave our apartment there are no reminders of the Christmas season. Admittedly the change in atmosphere left me longing for the way things used to be. Walking into a store and hearing Christmas music or having trouble deciding what Christmas wrapping paper I like best. The day before Christmas I walked around looking for matching pajamas for the boys. For the last few years I have bought the boys matching pajamas for Christmas (though its more a present for myself than for them I guess) and I was having trouble finding some. Most children in this country do not wear pajamas, but sweat suits or something similar. I have resigned myself to buying sweat suits instead and found some I was willing to settle on - only to find that my credit card wouldn't work! As I walked back to our apartment I was a little upset. I was reminded of a shopping experience a few weeks prior, when I couldn't find anything affordable that I thought the boys would like. Again I was thankful that our reason for celebrating the Christmas season would never change. No matter where we live or what we have access to we still have a reason to rejoice and to celebrate.

Just so you know - it all worked out in the end - they boys had their matching pajamas and I still had my tradition! Despite the fact that all their friends were at school Christmas day the boys had a wonderful day - complete with matching pajamas, presents from grandparents, Christmas carols and the Christmas story.