Home for the Holidays

As I think I've mentioned on here several times, the Holidays are my favorite time of year. Thanksgiving comes in a close second to Christmas, but both make me warm and fuzzy. Those feelings have significantly increased now with the expansion of our family and I look forward to more. The extra holiday activities in December, the toys all wrapped up under the tree and watching our families interact with Drew is my new heaven on earth. I start to feel the butterflies around October each year as the holiday music begins but am a bit sad that I have to wait another 11 months for it all to start over.

Our week at home over Christmas this year did not disappoint. Although we were non-stop moving between both sides ensuring everyone got ample time with our snowflake, it just felt good. The familiarity of both of our childhood homes and the holiday traditions that ensue there makes us smile.

Sure we went to see the Union Stations trains and feasted on some food we miss while living up here, but what made us the most happy were the simplest of things.

... Knowing my angel was in the nursery during the Christmas Eve church service.

... Watching my family watch Drew open gifts eat wrapping paper.

... The smell of candles burning while the fireplace cracles under a mantle adorned with stockings.

... Being with family. Our families have molded us into who we are and the fact that we can be with them for the holidays is a wonderful feeling. They love us and Drew. Deeply. And for that, we are better people.

Despite the decorations being put away and the lights taken down, our pastor reminds us not to put the holidays away in a box to be taken out 11 months from now. We need to remember the story of what Christmas really is about all year and treasure the hope of Christmas every day of the year.

Thank you, God, for Christmas. It is magical.