Dearest friends and family – After a busy week – month, even! – here it is, the quiet of Christmas Eve. I had my sister and Paul, their son Jesse and Tonia and Isaac, and Nate and Christina for supper after church. We had plenty of food, lots of conversation, and too many cookies!
I’m sitting here typing in my Snoopy Christmas PJ’s – of COURSE they are Snoopy! And I have my new Snoopy slippers on, too. So I’m ready for Santa!
Everything that needs to be done for the next few days is done. I’m going to Nate’s for supper tomorrow and will get to see Cameron! Autmn face-timed me today and he was so excited to see me. He waved and clapped and smiled, and it melted my heart!
The Burke family is having their official Christmas on Saturday with everyone here. So I have a few extra days to make the Oreo Ice Cream for Peyton and Brownies for Jen!
While November seemed to drag, December just flew by. It seemed like I spent all my time baking cookies, running Christmas errands, and finding fun things to do! We had our Skunk Hollow Christmas Fest; I went to Three Centuries of Christmas at Hanna’s Town; we went to the Byham to see A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL; I went to a friend’s lovely Christmas party (a former Smail co-worker). And I love getting Christmas Cards, especially from people I don’t hear from very often. December was fast and fun!
Today I had an especially delightful day. I spent all day cleaning and cooking and getting organized for tonight’s family supper. But I had Y108 on all day, and they had their Country Christmas on all day (very limited commercials) and I had a great time trying to guess who was singing each song. You’d think it would be easy. I was at about 80% correct until after lunch, when they started throwing in unlikely combinations. I dropped to about 50%. But I heard some fun new songs that I have to look into.
Everyone in the family is doing well – busy and happy (mostly!) and healthy. I love seeing them when I can. Otherwise I keep busy – taking care of the house, myself, finding historic things to do, planning trips with Kath. I’m still working a few days a week in the mornings at Pinnacle. Those guys are super bosses and I love working for/with them!
Christmas Eve service was lovely as well. My favorite part is the candlelight Silent Night – after our candles are lit everyone makes a huge circle and they turn the lights down. It’s beautiful and touching and makes the words wash over me like a huge happy hug.
It feels like everything has stopped, and we are all waiting to celebrate the most amazing thing that ever happened. I am so thankful that I embrace the amazing moments of ‘Unto us a Child is Born.’ What could be greater, sweeter, or more important than our Savior’s birth?
So as the day draws to a close, I leave you with this thought. Whatever you do, do your best to do it well and spread kindness and love. Live in the moment; don’t rush through events or meals or activities. Turn you phone off – just for a little while. Focus on making memories, something that will last a lot longer than any gift or meal. God has already given the best gift He has – His beloved Son. And He has allowed me to choose life and to make life the best it can be for myself and those I love.
Have a wonderful holiday, and God Bless Us, Everyone!
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