Christmas - when did you get here?

 

What day is it? December 24th? NO, can't be already - well maybe yesterday my baby turned 18! Guess it has just arrived without my being prepared. I am not sure why I am not prepared (or why I am taking a break to blog, maybe denial). So, much to do, and not sure where to start.

Let's look at today's accomplished list: hash brown casserole, sausage ball mixed up, potato salad made, 3 load of laundry folded, calls to check on the sick - my mom and my sister. *Feeling good about what is finished.* To do list: meatballs, pigs in a blanket, chocolate chip cookies, cheese dip, hang stockings, clean up kitchen and living room, go to mom's to cook dinner for them tonight, put away all that laundry, oh yeah - and have Christmas tonight with hubby and kids. * Don't feel too good anymore.*

Things I love about the holidays - (maybe this will make be feel better) - being with my husband and kids, and the rest of the family, country ham breakfast at mom's Christmas morning - even if I am the one cooking it this year, jam cake, the presents, sausage balls, the Christmas tree. Yeah, feel better now.

I begin to think of all the Christmases past - how we learn to cherish those memories. I think of my dad sitting in his recliner while we opened the gifts. He just sat there with the biggest grin, I think he loved Christmas as much as we did. All those years we drug the kids up and out so early to mom's, this year we are sleeping in a little later. We always had a wonderful Christmas - this year will be no different. Well, we are planning to eat on paper plates this year, that is a change, but with my mom and my sister sick - I am putting my foot down and am only doing so much. I don't mind cooking - but I hate to clean up. Maybe they will forgive me - but they know I am not Martha Stewart.

My wish this year is for happiness and good health for my family for 2009. We could use it! But, no matter what comes our way - we will deal with it. Merry Christmas.

Snow Day

Okay, so that is not a current picture, it is from a snow day last year. But we can always wish. Today, is a school "snow day", we had more ice than snow, and not even much of that. For me it is a sick day. My early Christmas gift was a nice case of the crud. Not really a cold, not the flu, just a good stuffy head and runny nose.

But the good part is, the kids are home today. I know,John is not in school, but work was called off for him too. Just a great day of being at home, if only Philip was home too. If only we had snow to play in. At least we have hot chocolate! Maybe I will bake some cookies too.

How fast these years of snow days have passed. This is the last year Lea will watch for her school to close. I can't really believe she will be 18 this time next week, or that John is now 20. When I was Lea's age I was planning our wedding to take place in just 3 more months, and when I was John's age, I was expecting our 2nd child.

What were we thinking? We weren't thinking and I would not change a thing! Who knows why we do what we did when we were young? We certainly didn't, but things haven't turned out so bad? John has grown up into a nice young man with a good job, he has enlisted in the National Guard, and has plans after basic training of returning to school. Lea plans to attend APSU this fall. She has become such a sweet young lady. They both have their moments, but Philip and I are very proud of them both.

Sometimes it is nice to have snow days to just sit back and enjoy life and enjoy our kids! It is okay there was no snow, we still had snowmen! We made a Krispie Kreme run last night - if you haven't had the new snowmen doughnuts - go! They are so good and put you in the holiday spirit!