Our First Family Christmas

This holiday season we decided to change it up.  With listing the house and having so much going on in real life so to speak we celebrated more by recognizing the Word and guidance of the Lord than anything else.  We only got a 2.5 foot tree and had minimal decorations just so we didn't have to pack up a ton or offend any potential buyers.  While it was weird to not get out all the lights and decor it still turned out to be a wonderful time of celebrating. 

Hubby has been off work since the 23rd so family time has been plentiful.  B seems to really be enjoying his time with Mommy and Daddy.  We decided to do the Christmas celebrations separate this year.  On Friday we went to Hubs Aunts house and made cookies that his Great Grandmother made.  It was fun and low key.  We also did a gift exchange.  I had so much fun picking out their gifts that I was excited and hopeful they would love everything and sure enough they did.  I got spoiled this year from them.  They said it was for the both of us but really it was for me.  I ended up with a Keurig which is something I have wanted for years.  Our Aunt also spoiled me with anything I had mentioned liking in the last few months.  It has been years since opening presents like that and while I don't need it alot it was fun.

On Christmas Eve we went to my parents house.  That is always fun.  The night consists of my family, my sister and her husband and Mom and Step Dad.  We didn't do huge gifts this year as we are moving and so is my sister so my Mom just made sure we were set with a New Years gift pack and moolah.  B on the other hand was in heaven with an anamatronic rocking horse!  The sucker neighs and trots and wags it's tail and even shakes its head.  He will only ride it a little bit but I do believe they are already fast friends.  Of course dinner was amazing and everyone pigged out.  I even got to be entertained by my sister who had a little too much wine.  It has been years since I saw her like that truly brought me back!!

On Christmas morning we opened a few presents for B and then took our time getting ready to head out for dinner at Le Cellier and Candlelight Processional in Epcot.  We decided that this year was the year we did what we wanted to and were not going to worry about pleasing others.  It was well worth it once we finally got into dinner.  The meal was divine and lived up to it's reputation.  Of course the Processional was lovely and something that must be experienced for any Disney lover.  Between the Christmas Story being read by Blaire Underwood and the amazing symphony and singers I was a blubbering mess.  B loved the parts he was awake for and we just enjoyed some very special family time.

The weekend was rounded off on Monday with a quick lunch celebration with Hubs parents and grandparents.  We see them more often so it was a little shorter.  And much of the same drama as always we were happy to just enjoy a short afternoon focused on B and his new toys.

The house was not decorated, the tree not as big as usual, the presents were not as plentiful from me and Hubby but it was by far one of my favorite Christmas's I can think of.  While we did not end up at Church as we did the processional instead it was a holiday truly filled with the Lord and the Lord's voice, presence and celebration.  We had just enough family to remind us we are blessed but not so much that you are pulling your hair out.  It really felt like our first family Christmas!

I can honestly say I will always look back at the holiday season of 2011 with a smile and love but I am really looking forward to the Christmas's to come in our new town, with our new community, church and traditions!!!

Siblings

This week my sister got a great promotion with such promotion it means she is probably headed to the opposite coast this Spring.  While I am happy for her I found myself choked up and teary that she will be leaving.  It is not that I see her all the time and that we are sooo close but frankly the idea of her being just a drive away was always comforting.  Now she will be 3 hours behind and one heck of a plane ride with a one year old.  It is weird to think that she is going back to where she sees as home just as I am finding home here in FL. We were all born in California but to me I never thought of it as home it was just where Grandma and Grandpa lived and at one point my Dad. 

My Mom mentioned the other day that this may be the last Christmas we can all get together as we are all really following our dreams and hearts right now and fulfilling dreams. My other sister had intended on coming in for Christmas but in the last minute they have decided to stay home and have a family Christmas with their kids and make special memories of their own.  I totally get this but have to admit that for the first time in a while I am reminded that I am an adult and we all have our own families and wants and needs. 

I look back on our holiday traditions with a happy heart.  There were days of John Denver and the muppets singing carols, nights of performing the night before Christmas, giggles of glee waiting to attend midnight mass and of course new jammies on Christmas Eve.  While the traditions grew and changed over the years with age, divorce, and life we still seemed to have little things that drew us together. 

Tonight while cuddling B before bed he fell asleep on me for the first time in a long time and I just laid there and breathed him in.  When I was first pregnant with him I only wanted one child but over the past few months my mind and heart have changed and tonight I was reminded of how much I wanted him to have siblings.  I thought about the giggles over waiting for Santa and the smiles as him and a sibling shook their presents under the tree.  I let my mind wander to the days of him and a sibling putting on a holiday show for the family or the race to see who gets to the tree first.  The moments of getting dressed up to go to Christmas service just seem like they would be more complete with more than just B.

While I knew my sister dreamed of heading back to the west coast I am not sure I ever thought it would happen.  But that is the funny thing about dreams they are goals some attainable and some not.  I realized that mine are changing just as hers are. 

So here I am most likely saying goodbye to my sibling accept for the occasional visit while I am praying that we can give B a sibling to grow up with~full circle.

Feeling The Holidays

Because we are trying to sell our home we have limited decorations to outside and a tree only.  Besides not wanting the home to feel cluttered we just do not want to have to pack it all back up when we make the move which is actually sooner than later.  While the outside lights click on each night at dusk the corner for the tree has not yet been filled with greenery, ribbon and glowing lights.  Yet some how this Christmas feels bigger, brighter and more giving than any I can remember. 

When I take a moment and look around at all that we have and all that we can share I know that we are blessed.  I know that this is what this season is all about.  B is only 1 and does not know that the house should be adorned in greenery, bows and knick knacks.  All he knows is that his Mom and Dad are happier and more at peace than he has ever known in his short little life.  I figure that is good enough for holiday cheer, right?

We are not doing presents for each other and have limited B's to two items he needs and a few smaller ones from us and have asked people to pair up and buy larger items as he really is not into toys if they insist on buying something.  While it is technically his first Christmas he is old enough to kind of understand we just want to teach him the true meaning of this holiday season.  Of course the religious aspect is a given. 

While all this a detour from the usual Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and decorations throughout the home I am still enjoying and soaking in every minute of this years holiday festivities.  And I must admit that I am not missing having to chase B around and pull him down from any bow or bell he can reach or for that matter can't because lets be honest the kid is half monkey!

Besides the notable differences inside the house I have noticed that this year I am all about giving.  It is not that I do not give throughout the year but I think because of the economy I am wanting to do more.  I am realizing that while I was worried I might be giving up a pool to move I am actually blessed to have a home much less a stinken pool!  I joined a group of women bloggers who are planning on giving back all year long, I have gone through all closets and drawers and the donation pile is stacking up.  I am just feeling it is time that I realize that I have so much that I do not need and use. 

I have been in Fl for 7 years and always found myself complaining that it did not feel like Christmas because the trees were still green and there was no snow flurry to be found but I think most of all what I am realizing this year is that I just was not looking hard enough for the sights and sounds of what the holidays now mean to me as a wife and mom!