Ah, Christmas Eve is here! It's a total bummer, but Brian got called into work this morning. The boys were crushed. We go to breakfast every Christmas Eve. Back home, we'd always go to Carol's Corner Cafe. Ah, that place is the best. This year I took the boys to a local restaurant called the Swedish Pancake House. The boys loved it. It sucked that Brian couldn't be with us, but I'm glad we were able to enjoy a nice breakfast anyway. Brian just called and hopefully he'll be home around 1 or so. Anyway, as kids do, the boys are going nuts today. They are so excited for Christmas. We let them open one gift on Christmas Eve, so that's been the talk of the day. It's really embarrassing how many gifts the kids have under the tree. We actually cut it back quite a bit this year, but the kids really do get spoiled by Brian and my families. We are really missing family, but this year the boys seem to be handling being out here for the holidays better than they did last year. I guess it's time to build new traditions for our family out here in IL.
I am excited for Christmas as well. I'm pumped for Brian to open the Kuerig (I think I spell it differently and wrong, each time I mention it). I think he's going to love it. There are a couple of things that the boys are going to be pumped about. I'm also excited for a couple other things that I'd gotten people. It really is a million times better to give, than receive. I love that feeling of finding something that you know someone will love. Oh by the way, if I ever send you a wrapped gift: wait until Christmas to open it. Yes, that means you, Half Pile! Mostly, I just love watching the boys having a blast sorting out the gifts and guessing as they go. I love to mess with them, by putting video games in clothes boxes, etc. I know I'm going on about gifts, and that's not what Christmas is about. I'd be lying if I didn't mention these things that I'm excited about, though.
I know what the true meaning of Christmas is. I feel it in my heart. I know that I'm blessed beyond measure, and I am so thankful to God for this life I have. I'm blessed to have a family I love so and who loves me just as much. I'm blessed to have friends that are family to me. We're blessed to have a roof over our heads and the boys in a great school. We are blessed to both be working. I also feel blessed to be in a place where my head feels straight, and I can truly appreciate how grateful I am for all of the things in my life. I hope I don't come off as preachy, but I hope that all of us can remember the value we have in our lives not only on Christmas, but every single day. I hope that we continue to allow ourselves to give and accept love. I know this makes us vulnerable, and I especially am uncomfortable with that feeling, but as I was reminded yesterday: it's what allows us to feel. Tell the people you love that you love them. Show the people you love that you love them. For me, there's no better feeling than knowing that someone truly cares and loves me. It makes me full human. It makes me feel whole. So, if there's a family member or a friend you haven't spoken to in a while, but they are on your mind. Reach out to them, and let them know you're thinking of them. Odds are if they're on your mind, you're on theirs as well. Doing this not only makes them feel good, but it makes you feel great. Do yourself a favor, and allow yourself to feel great. I know this works for me, anyway. I'm wishing you a very Merry Christmas. I pray that you find yourself with a fulfilled heart today, tomorrow, and alway.
Love,
Jen
Okay-this is one of my favorite Christmas songs, and it's totally not related to anything I just talked about :) but I hope you like it.
Merry Christmas From The Family-Dixie Chicks do a great version of this song
Mom got drunk and Dad got drunk at our Christmas party
We were drinking
champagne punch and homemade eggnog
Little sister brought her new
boyfriend
He was a Mexican
We didn't know what to think of him until he
sang
Felis Navidad, Felis Navidad
Brother Ken brought his kids with
him
The three from his first wife Lynn
And the two identical twins from
his second wife Mary Nell
Of course he brought his new wife Kay
Who talks
all about AA
Chain smoking while the stereo plays Noel, Noel
The First
Noel
Carve the Turkey
Turn the ball game on
Mix margaritas when the
eggnog's gone
Send somebody to the Quickpak Store
We need some ice and an
extension chord
A can of bean dip and some Diet Rites
A box of tampons,
Marlboro Lights
Haleluja everybody say Cheese
Merry Christmas from the
family
Fred and Rita drove from Harlingen
I can't remember how I'm kin
to them
But when they tried to plug their motor home in
They blew our
Christmas lights
Cousin David knew just what went wrong
So we all waited
out on our front lawn
He threw a breaker and the lights came on
And we
sang Silent Night, Oh Silent Night, Oh Holy Night
Carve the turkey turn
the ball game on
Make Bloody Mary's
Cause We All Want One!
Send
somebody to the Stop 'N Go
We need some celery and a can of fake snow
A
bag of lemons and some Diet Sprites
A box of tampons, some Salem
Lights
Haleluja, everybody say cheese
Merry Christmas from the Family