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Family is a priceless gift. We are teaching Micah right now to learn to value family. As we walk through the culture shock of Walmart, Target, and warehouse-shopping, Micah has instinctively recognized his need for more and more toys. He already has more than he can ever play with, but consumerism is a sign to influential to ignore.
However, we are blessed with a very loving family, and he has discovered far more joy and happiness in playing with his cousins and with papa than with any plastic toy he could receive under the tree. We’ve been extremely fortunate this year to have both sides of our family together for Christmas.
The last time everyone was together was for our wedding some 6 years ago. We are blessed to have both sides of the family get along and they often comment on how they wished everyone lived closer together. It was a Pfeister-Flunker Christmas! Kari drove up to Emily’s parents’ house just about as soon as we arrived. Micah squealed to see her and ran into her arms. Later on, he very sweetly said, “ReRe, you’re my very best friend!”
Then Kari went to Wisconsin and we waited for Christmas to arrive. Before Christmas came Uncle Mike and Aunt Susan came! Emily’s aunt and uncle drove up from North Carolina, and we celebrated the Christmas tradition of Belgrades chicken and hot sauce!
Finally it was Christmas morning. The three of us (Ryan, Emily and Micah) had a little mini Christmas together with presents before everyone woke up and arrived. Emily had some special presents just for him to open without all the other cousins. One toy he got was a new guitar! Now he is a little musician, and we’re all singing the same song over and over and over and over again!
Presents upon more presents. When you’ve got 5 families together the wrapped boxes under the tree abound. The kids loved it. Everyone had toys to play with; they had so many that they wanted to play with the ones they opened before they even opened them all. Uncle Mike and Aunt Susan overdid themselves – race cars, tractors, coloring books, boats, and the coolest toys!
While the Pfeister side of the family was busy under the tree, the Flunker side was busy driving all through the night from Wisconsin to Ohio. Around 11am they arrived and joined in the festivities… only mildly exhausted.
Then it was breakfast and lunch and dinner – a big breakfast, a big lunch, and a big dinner. The grandparents made some cookies and frosted them with the grandkids. We played with all our new toys and enjoyed our Christmas with one another.
Then that night we all drove over to the Flunker’s hotel room and had a second batch of presents and celebration!
It was a very special Christmas. We lacked the time and resources to make separate trips to both Ohio and Wisconsin, and we were very fortunate to have both our parents with us for Christmas. Most of all we are thankful for a family that remembers all gifts pale at the remembrance of The Gift given for all mankind, Jesus Christ our newborn King. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas.