Christmas Memories

Of all the memories that fill my head I think the bank marked "Christmas Memories" would be the largest. Every year I take a step back and look around me only to realize, once again, that I am so very blessed to be surrounded by so many loving faces. Every year is a little different than the year before but never the less, we are all together and we are all laughing and sharing and rejoicing in the season. I've included some of my oldest memories and like everything else they are different each year but each year they are present.

-Stockings...I've had my stocking as long as I can remember. Mom sewed my name on it (as she did with all of our stockings). She's a part of it just as she's a part of me.

-'Twas the Night Before Christmas'...Every year on Christmas Eve we all get into our pj's and lay around the appointed reader. We listen with wonder to the story of jolly St. Nick as if it's the first time we've heard it.

-The Tree...filled with Santa's wonders below. Yes, even though baby brother is now a teen and all of my sisters and I are in our 20's Santa still comes. It's the magic of Christmas and it still lives in all our hearts. Christmas Eve is the only night of the year that we leave the tree lit all night long. (How could Santa see to get around if we didn't?) I like to get up a little before dawn and lay on the sofa and look

at the gloriousness of it all. The tree gives off a soft glow of light that bounces from gift to gift and it still seems like magic that the presents are actually there. It is beautiful and for those few minutes before dawn I feel like I am 5 years old again and there is nothing in the world that could harm me because Mom and Dad are asleep in the next room and it is Christmas.

Merry Christmas Darling

Fa, la, la, la, la! La, la, la, la! I love this time of the year...I love this day. It's the last day of work for me in 2009. Yay! Colby and I are super PUMPED to be loading up the Tribute and heading north to spend the holiday with our much beloved family. I've talked to my sisters and brother, Mom and Dad no less than 5 times a day for the past week. I can't wait to pull into the drive and immediately feel ease rush over me. There is something about spending Christmas at home that takes me back to a less hectic, less stressful time. A time when we all cuddle in bed and read a christmas story. A time when we laugh for hours on end as we reminisce years past. A time when we say, "yes, I'll have another cookie" and "I think I will have seconds." I love this season because it reminds us to love...

And because all posts are better with pictures, here is one of Colby and another of little Miss B. I had the pleasure of spending last weekend with her and she stole my heart. Aren't those cheeks awesome! :)

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!