It is hard to imagine that Christmas is over and we are looking ahead to a new year! I feel like time goes by faster and faster every year. I love starting a new year and setting new goals and feel like I am getting a fresh start but before we do all of that we need to recap the past month.....
We do so much leading up to Christmas I always wonder if Christmas itself will be as wonderful as we want it to be but I am never disappointed. I think it is all the magic and the family that makes it perfect. We have developed some pretty strong traditions and I am so thankful I have a husband that just smiles and shakes his head at all my craziness. December 5th was the Eve of St. Nicholas Day and this is a tradition we started a few years ago. The old story says if you set your shoes out on the Eve of St. Nicholas Day, they will be filled with good fortune. The crazy thing was, this year, before I even reminded the kids that it was the Eve of St. Nicholas Day, Raelynn and Cooper set out their shoes. I asked them how they knew and Raelynn said she googled it and put the date in her iPod. Another way technology has made me be on top of my game. The other wonderful part of it was listening to Raelynn tell Coop about the legend of the Eve of St. Nicholas Day. Raelynn is very sentimental and holds all of our traditions so close to her heart. I think it is her passion for the magic of the holidays that make it so much fun for me. Of course I did not disappoint them and their shoes were filled with gold coins and chocolates when they woke. Brownie, our Elf, also participated in the legend and left a letter for them along with a letter from Santa.
Last year, for the first time, Raelynn saw The Nutcracker with one of her friends. She loved it and had been asking me if they were going to invite her again. This year they invited us both and we both got to attend with Andrea and Jackie. I had never even read The Nutcracker so I was a little lost in the beginning but luckily Andrea actually performed in the Nutcracker for many years (Impressive!) so she could kept me well informed. Raelynn also knew everything about it and was constantly telling me what was going on. I loved how much she knew and understood and loved the ballet. It was a great evening. Raelynn informed me that this was one of our new traditions and I informed her that was great with me but I couldn't keep up with too many more traditions :).
Our last tradition leading up to Christmas was the 12 Days of Christmas. The 12 Days of Christmas actual follow Christmas but this fun tradition starts 12 days before Christmas. The kids find a little something every morning in a stocking that hangs from their bedroom doors. I have fun with this one and you never know what they might get. One morning I made a scavenger hunt where the first clue started in Raelynn's stocking and then lead to Coop's stocking and then took them through getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing their hair and teeth before finding Despicable Me 2 hiding with Brownie our Elf. It is always so much fun and one of the things the kids look forward to the most! It is not all about the gifts either because it is not always a gift but more just of the excitement of surprises!
Brownie continued to be ornery as well….
We also had Raelynn's awards banquet from her horse circuit and would could not have been prouder. She reached 100 points in 2 of her classes which is awesome! She had several placings and just seeing her happiness in her accomplishments was wonderful. Without a doubt she will be back at it in the spring!
So finally the week of Christmas arrived and we had all day Monday to deliver our gifts before we left town. We always make special deliveries to some of those that take special care of our family throughout the year such as our pediatrician and Coop's cardiac doctor and such. This year we had 5 special deliveries and this was the first year that Raelynn and Cooper got to be a part of that. As we made the last delivery Raelynn said, "that was a lot of fun, I love giving gifts even more than getting my own, well almost." It made me laugh because without a doubt I enjoy giving more than receiving!!! It was a fun day for us. We also had Coop's annual checkup which was awesome! Since April Coop has gained 3.5lbs and has grown 2.5". He looked great to Dr. Kelley and we were super happy. His next cardiac appointment is in January and we hope for good news then too. Finally it was time to head out to Western Kansas for our Christmas Celebration.
Every year as our family grows and expands our Christmas may adjust a little but all in all it is the same and by that I mean perfect. Christmas Eve is always our big night and when we exchange most of our gifts. We also eat way too much on Christmas Eve with so many snacks and delicious soup. It is a lot of fun and this year was no exception. We were also lucky enough to have my Grandma with us this year. We had not celebrated with her in years so it was a very special treat. As usual my kids as well as our selves were spoiled! We are so grateful so many wonderful gifts and for having the ability to give gifts as well. We did fail to get our Christmas pictures with the family which I was super disappointed in but will just have to remember next year that the pictures mean so much to me and not let time slip by without them.
Christmas Day we always celebrate with my Aunt and have a traditional Christmas dinner which is also sooooooo good. Unfortunately, this year our Aunt chose not to celebrate with us which was heartbreaking to me. I did not know she did not plan to be there nor did anyone else so it made for some sadness on a special day. Thank goodness for my wonderful family who reminded me what we were there to celebrate and to be thankful for having so many of us together. I know our family dynamics will change, but when it comes to getting the family together it is always hard to accept change or even understand it at times. Anyway, I would say it definitely made for a difficult day for me but as we cleaned up and ended our day I was just so thankful for those who love me and let me love them back!
Thank you so much to my whole family for making Christmas so special to us each year!
We are headed home now and I cannot believe the week is already coming to an end. I love my time with Terry and the kids. I am so grateful for the family we have made and am so fortunate to be surrounded by happiness. I wish all the happiness in the world to all in 2014! Isn't it exciting to see what awaits us all....................
0 comments:
Post a Comment