The Christmas Post

When the sun went down on Christmas Eve we were tobogganing, stuffed full of cheese and fondu, poppycock and peanut brittle, with played-out, whiney kids. My sister Rachel is the best entertainer and creates so much fun in her home. I loved singing some of the Christmas carols I had forgotten to sing- like "Up on the Rooftop" and "O Holy Night".  I loved the moment Brad walked through the front door of my sister's house, knowing he was all ours for the holidays. I loved making a snow angel on the icy lake at the bottom of the hill and then freezing my toes off at the Nativity. The spirit of Christmas is never stronger for me than at the Heritage Park Nativity.

And I loved the moment my kids were all snug in their beds.

Brad and I started watching the magical "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" but only got through half of it because we couldn't wait to get things ready for the next morning.

We ate the cookies Jesse left for Santa, stuffed the stockings and arranged all the presents under the tree.

At 6 am Christmas morning Jesse woke up. We could hear his little footsteps, first walk slowly past the living room -pause- walk into the living room -pause- SPRINT into our room: "Dad, you have to come see this!" They went in and I could hear Jesse laugh when he saw the Ninja Turtles sticking out of his stocking and say "Awesome!" Santa really came through.

When we told Jesse he had to wait until Breanna woke up to open presents, he walked into her room, turned on the light and a few seconds later said, "she's awake!" Breanna was a little fuzzy but put on her usual morning smile.

Brad got a Playstation 3. I worked so hard to keep it a secret. I got the purple purse I've been dreaming of for over a month that I would never have bought for myself.  My other favorite gift was box containing "a relaxing evening"-frozen lasagne, homemade buns and cauliflower soup, comfy pajamas, toys to entertain the kids, "The Universe" DVD box set and a soft, warm blanket. I love my Mom. I also loved the present my sister made for me, a wooden game of Memory using pictures of my family.

The kids played with their presents while Brad and I made breakfast. At one point Jesse ran in the room with his Iron Man and the "bad Iron Man", (aka Obadiah):

"Mom, Dad, the bad iron man repented, so now they are friends."

Soon after we were in the van, the kids asleep in the back, the sun reflecting off the snow and a blue sky overhead. A book in my hand, my best friend by my side and more than a week to chill and we are all happy. I feel so blessed.

Breanna has choked down so much candy and junk food her little body just might burst. I have eaten so much turkey and ham and gravy my buttons might burst. The kids have had so little sleep and so much fun playing with their cousins and Grandmas and Grandpas and Nana and Aunts and Uncles their hearts might burst.

Mine might too!