December Something

What a month it has been. The holidays are always such a busy time of the year. This year was actually a bit more calm than previous years, for me at least. It was different. Holly was home to help, or actually take over, with much of the running around in preparation for class parties and family gatherings while I plucked away at my keyboard.

Just as we had purchased five tubs of frosting for Evyn's class cupcake decorating party, a snow storm cancelled school. Winter break started two days early, but now we have all of this frosting....even after making and decorating five dozen sugar cookies while Mimi was here visiting. Just like last year, Mimi's December arrival brought snow. It's not like she is coming in from Canada, cruising to town on a Nor'easter. She is coming from Texas. I would be nice if she would bring some heat from the south. The bad weather that has followed her for the past two years leaves plenty of time for gingerbread house construction and cooking making. At least the weather did allow us visit the botanical garden's light display. It was cold but incredibly beautiful.


Before Mimi's visit, we set out on a cold Sunday morning in search of a Christmas tree to cut down and take home. We drove out to a tree farm in the country. Being the city folks (or dummies, however you'd like to look at it) we are, we showed up at a tree farm in the country with debit cards and no cash. The situation was easily remedied, after driving down, crossing the railroad tracks and turning left at the rusted school bus, and just beyond the dilapidated barn on the right was the tiny country bank that actually had an ATM outside. Anyway, we eventually ended up with a tree that we all loved. The hot apple cider and hot chocolate we were served when we paid for our tree warmed us up after our tree hunting expedition in the freezing weather. The tree was up and decorated in no time.

That tree really, truly set the mood for us this year. Holly and I both have been worried about our future, knowing that there is a great job for her right around the corner but also feeling slightly discouraged because, just like the news reports, there are just not that many jobs available. Seeing the lights and the ornaments that were hand-picked and carefully hung by our young children who are completely caught up in the magic of Christmas really meant a lot more this year, as we are surrounded by uncertainty but also love, support and generosity.

Nice work...high five!


These crazy LED lights are white..until you take a pic of them.

All of our Christmas gatherings were nice. We focused the gift giving primarily on the kids, not wanting them to notice the uncertainty of our financial situation. Our families were fine with our inability to take part in our usual gift exchanges, only buying for the little ones of the family. Although it was different, it was just as I have secretly wanted it to be. I do love buying gifts for people, but it just gets to be so much. I found myself wanting to focus on the season, why we are celebrating and just being with the people that we usually celebrate with. Having Holly's family over on Christmas Eve was nice and brunch with the Martins the following day was fabulous, as always. Even though we were unable to help a needy family this year and had to scale down in a lot of other ways, this season was the best ever. We are grateful and feel so lucky to have such a wonderful group of people, some family, some friends, to spend the holidays with. We are loved and we felt it more than ever this year. You can't put a price tag on that. Tracking Santa's journey on the computer (notice the picture below of baby E and R to the left of the monitor- love THAT!), having Reagan spend Christmas Eve with us, seeing her wonder what in the world was going on Christmas morning with all of the toys and fancy paper everywhere, hearing Evyn and Reed exclaim that they got everything they wanted and Santa really did know all - these moments are what make me warm and fuzzy. I even enjoyed watching it snow all afternoon Christmas Day. That, my friends, is a Christmas miracle.

These little cousins, aunt and uncle spending Christmas brunch together. I just love that!