We Say Merry Christmas

While driving around town last week I saw a bumper sticker on a car that stated, "We Say Merry Christmas." It was a reminder to other drivers how crazy society has become and how Christianity is attacked more and more each year, especially around Christmastime. But nothing reminds me of God's precious gift more than watching a bunch of preschoolers preform at their Christmas program. One of the many benefits of our children's private schooling is the opportunity for our kids to actually celebrate Christmas as a Christian Holiday without any outside interference. Below is a video clip or Erica's program. It was so encouraging to see these kids sing about Christ's birth with so much heart.

And here is Rachel at her program.

At Christmas every year it is fun for us to remember all of our past Christmases and where we were at the time and with whom we celebrated with. Because we have lived in a variety of places and have celebrated with a variety of different people we have added either new foods or new traditions to our celebration each year. Here is a quick run down of some of the things we do and why.

We eat cheesy corn because it is very good and it reminds us of our friends, The Yelles, from Enid, OK. We also eat a Smithfield ham because it too is delicious and reminds us of our friends, The O'Rourkes, who used to work for Smithfield in North Carolina. We make and eat almond bark and M&M covered pretzels shared with us many years ago by our friends the Prichards in Oklahoma. My friend Brooke gives her kids new PJs every Christmas eve so her kids have something new to wear on Christmas morning. We are doing the same thing with our girls this year. We will be adding three things to our celebration this year. In the UK they have Christmas crackers set on their tables for Christmas dinner. You are supposed to open them and then wear the hat that was inside the cracker at the dinner. We will all be opening crackers and wearing hats at dinner this year in remembrance of all our UK friends. We will also be sipping warm German wine and Irish coffee mainly because they are darn good.

I must now go as our Christmas festivities are underway. We would like to takes this opportunity to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and we are very thankful to have you as a part of our lives.

How Do I Do This?

So I have broken down and decided it was time to start a blog. For some reason I actually have time today to start one. Please keep in mind that we didn't even have email in college until our senior year, therefore I will not be an expert at this new blogging thing.

Actually, the real reason I have decided to start one is that I am not very good at keeping up with communication. We have wonderful friends all over the world and I think this would be the best way for everyone to keep up with The Bryants.

So here is a quick update on the Bryants.

Bob is loving school, even some of the homework. He had time to coach Erica's soccer team this year. He is waiting to find out where we will be moving in June, that's if we don't stay here one more year.

Melissa is pretty much the same. I coached Rachel's soccer team this Fall. Rachel scored her first two goals and I must say it had to have been my expert soccer/coaching skills. I have been trying to run a lot. I spent a nice weekend back at USAFA in September visiting old friends and attending the Graduate Memorial Ceremony with my friend Carrie's family. It was nice to see them, especially her wonderful daughter Ashley, and it was nice to honor her memory as well. I don't really have much time for anything else, but I have been asked to help with the development of a local Pro-Life organization through our church.

Rebecca is still loving school. She is nine and in the fourth grade at Xavier Catholic School. She played soccer this Fall and is on a swim team. She has won several ribbons at meets.

Rachel is seven and in the second grade and loves school but dislikes homework. She played soccer as well and is swimming on the same team as Rebecca.

Erica played soccer for the first time this Fall and is excelling at swim lessons. She is a very bold girl who also loves school and can't wait to be with the big kids next year.

Neave is now 17 months and thinks she is a big kid. She is starting to talk like crazy and is into everything. I think picking up after her is currently one of my biggest jobs. She is adored by all of us and has become very assertive.