Well, the tree is up, snow is on the ground and it’s cold outside.  Yep, Christmas is on the way!  I love Christmas.  I love the lights that sparkle off the pristine snow.  I love the colors and driving by to see how people have decorated.  I love going to the mail each day to see who’s sent a card.  I love sitting in silence after the kids are in bed and just watching my tree.  I love baking to Christmas carols.

 

While I realize this time of year means different things to different people, for me, Christmas is about the birth of Christ and it’s not complete without going to church on Christmas Eve.  As a young child it was midnight mass, now it’s earlier in the evening.  But nothing beats sitting in a full church and singing carols and remembering HE is the reason for the season.

 

After church, it’ll just be me, my husband and our two daughters.  We’ll let them each open one present.  After they are asleep, “Santa” will come.  Though my oldest is 12 and knows better, the little 7 year old believes and so Santa always wraps his gifts in the same wrapping paper.  This year it’ll be penguin wrapping.

 

Christmas Day my mother-in-law will be here, as well as my sister-in-law.  I’ve invited the neighbors up the road as well.  One of my brothers and his family may also be joining us.  That won’t be until later in the afternoon as I like to treasure the morning with just my little family and stay in my jammies as long as possible.

 

Boxing day my husband’s extended family gets together so that’ll mean some serious Scrabble games.  Bring it on!  We’ll get together with his two sisters and their families some time in January as one of my sisters-in-law spends the holidays with her husband’s family.

 

My brothers and sister and I now celebrate the holiday on New Year’s Day.  It’s easier as we don’t have other family obligations to get to and we can spend the whole day together, opening presents, eating,  skating, playing cribbage and just enjoying being together.  This New Year’s will be extra special as it’s the first time all my siblings and I will be together since my father’s last Christmas with us in 2001.  My sister is coming in from Vancouver Island and my oldest brother from Connecticut.  It’s my turn to host, so I’ll have 15 people around the table.  I can’t wait!

 

I wish you all a warm, safe holiday season spent with loved ones.  May your travels be safe and may your heart be filled with the joy that is Christmas.

 

Until next year,

 

Michelle

 

Michelle’s World

 

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand-chocolate in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO—What a Ride!”

 

Unknown

 

 

 

My tree and the white, snowy landscape outside.