Christmas

Happy Christmas recap

Happy Christmas recap

Time for a Christmas recap, I know how much everyone looves those. ;] We are currently enjoying some family time at my parents’ house and soaking in these Christmastide days.

On Friday afternoon, we left our home in Alameda en route to my husband’s family. The drive took about two hours longer than it normally takes us so we had to take quite a few stops. Oh holiday traffic. But everyone survived and Henry only shrieked for a portion of the drive and Theo only had one up the back blow-out. Silver linings for the win.

Saturday and Sunday, we spent time with my husband’s family with lots of time for the cousins to play. We got together with Paul’s best friend and his wife and then my best friend from dental school and her family. Even though we can relatively keep up with friends and family with technology, it is so wonderful and joyous to see people in person and love on them.

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'Tis the season

'Tis the season

I’m not going to lie, this was one of the best Thanksgiving weekends ever. Our little five-some spent the four-day weekend in town and it was so special to cook a meal and share this holiday quietly in our own little home. I had a little anxiety throughout the weekend, but it was definitely manageable considering the immense joy of being surrounded by my family.

Paul had work off Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! We got to have a leisurely lunch on Wednesday just the two of us (well, and our third wheel Theo). On Thursday, Paul let me sleep in (!!!) and then I cooked a Thanksgiving lunch for us. We shared sparkly beverages and Emma decided she loves cranberry sauce. Normally, I am not much of a leftovers person, but I ate the Thanksgiving food all weekend.

I gave Henry his first hair cut after nap on Thanksgiving and I cried a whoooole lot. But he’s so delectably cute so I’m okay now, I promise. On Friday, we cranked up the Christmas music jams and started decorating. Emma and Henry absolutely loved decorating our tree. They each were so meticulous about ornament placement. I did not put any of the breakable ornaments out this year because Henry tornado lives up to the name. Somehow we still managed to break some… oy vey.

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Christmas at the Hive

Happy New Year! *fireworks, champagne, and general merriment*

I actually made it to midnight to watch the ball drop and kiss my honey, which I definitely did not do last year with a five month-old.

This past week I worked so between the working, the children raising, the wife-ing, and the home-making, I am pooped! But, there is something so invigorating about new years. Turning the page and starting afresh (and all the cliché things) is incredibly freeing, don't you think?

Do you make new year's resolutions? I am always on the fence about making them. Do I set general goals? Do I make grand plans only to be disappointed if I don't check every box off my list? Still on the fence. 

But this year, in lieu of resolutions, I have decided to pray

Pray more, pray more often, pray longer, pray unceasingly. At the end of the day, my relationship with the Lord is only as fruitful as I am willing to lean on Him completely. I need to spend more time just sitting with him in the silence and letting Him speak to my heart. I don't know what that will look like yet, but I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for me this year.

And on a more practical to-do this year -- I hope to yell less. *nervous laughter* 

We spent Christmas at home. The new hive. OUR home. Waking up Christmas morning, celebrating the coming of Jesus as a wee babe, and spending the day soaking in Christmas beginnings with my family was, without a doubt, the best Christmas gift I've ever received. 

We gave the kids a few gifts and ate a few Christmas goodies (maybe more than a few). Paul and I did not exchange gifts because we decided the house would be our Christmas gift to one another -- for the next 30 years (am I right?). 

But before I bore you with a slew of Christmasy photos, I just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who has read this blog and supported me in my writing. It means more than you know. 

'Twas a beautiful first day of Christmas at the hive. 

HAPPY NEW YEEEEEEAR!

 

Oh Christmas tree

We did not really hold out in the Christmas decorating department. I try to wait until after Thanksgiving, but alas, I did not make it. OH WELL. (No regrets.) 

But even though it was a bit premature, it was oh so special. We put on Christmas music, unpacked the decoration boxes, and got to it. Emma put the first ornament on the tree and enjoyed every second of our day. Sundays have become our special family time and this was one for the books. Henry put the angel on the tree and somehow got glitter stuck to his head.

We have been spending our evenings by the tree, reading Christmas books, and slowing down. Advent is such a special time of year and I will be using this season to reset and rest.

Happy Advent and Merry Christmas.