Santas Helpers

Well this Christmas will definitely be busy at the Passanita household. My little Christmas elves have been hard at work making all kinds of gifts for everyone and have gotten the ho ho ho down pat. It warms my heart to hear the laughter and joy that comes form each of them as they discover the wonder of the holidays. None of them have ever had a Christmas before and when asked what it meant to them the only recognizable answer we got was from Yuri who said that it was the day you get candy in your socks. It almost made me cry. And then to ask Victor what he wanted for Christmas and to have him reply, "A banana, an apple, and a big glass of milk" that just completely humbled me. They are so excited just about some of the simply things we take for granted. When putting up the tree Victor went out and gathered up all the neighborhood kids and paraded them through our living room to see the tree. The other kids were going "Yea, its a Christmas tree" but to Victor it was the best one he had ever seen and he got to help put the ornaments on so he was soooo proud. Vanya, of course, is just happy about everything but doesn't really understand most of what is going on other than he gets to wear a Santa suit that he just loves! The other boys got shirts and a Santa hat to wear as well since they don't make the full suit in their size. If it had come in their size they would have worn it. Other kids their age might not have wanted to be caught dead in a Santa suit but these guys would have gladly donned it and had grand time. It truly reminds me that they are really the best gifts (after the Christ child of course) I could ever have been given. Jut watching their expressions and seeing that they have a spirit of giving already when they haven't really ever experienced the receiving side until recently is quite impressive. Victor has tried to give his gifts to other people for about a week now. Anyone who comes over he wants to give something to and he is the one who probably experienced the poorest treatment of the three. Mama and papa took each of the boys out to get a present for their brothers and it was neat to see what they picked out. They really put thought into what they thought the other ones would like. My heart is just overflowing with joy to watch them run around (and around and around) the house laughing and playing and being happy. The hugs and kisses are a bonus too. Victor is really warming up and and now loves to be held and asked for extra kisses and gives them out a little more liberally as well. Yuri still reserves his for just mama and papa but one day he might get there as well. Vanya loves everyone and you will be able to tell what mood he is in by how many hugs and kisses you get. The lights on the houses are still an amazement to all of them and the ooohs and aghhhs are tremendous and the smiles are just as precious. They have done artwork, baked cookies, dressed up, gotten their picture with Santa, and bought presents for the first time in their lives. What a privilege it is to have been given these precious gifts from above. They remind us continuously of the wonders of the Christmas season and how absolutely blessed we are.

We wish all our friends and family the merriest of Christmas's and a new year full of God's blessings. Be ready to look for them in the most unexpected of places. Just as Christ gave us his one and only son on that Holy night so must we give to those whom He puts in our path.

One very overjoyed mama mama mama