Making Time to Enjoy

So I shopped and shopped Saturday, got tons done, finished little touches on the house, and Steve and I wrapped oodles of gifts. I pretty much parked on the couch Saturday night, feet hurting and just really tired. I began feeling anxiety again about forgetting something, what to plan for the Christmas dinner, and how many would be here for Christmas Day, etc. I spent about two hours that evening on the phone with my oldest step-daughter Kara, and we had a wonderful visit. It is so nice when they begin to mature and grow up. She has Steve's oldest grandson, and they too live out of town so we don't see them often either.

She has all but begged to help me cook, clean, wrap gifts, run errands - etc. This is unusual for me. No one ever offers to help me !

She, her husband and their son will be here Friday night late. We decided to surprise Steve. Their original plan was to arrive two days before Christmas, and as far as Steve knows that is when they are coming. They will stay until after Christmas, so he should get some good bonding time with his grandson.

I shopped some more yesterday, and almost have everything ready, will go to UPS at noon today and ship the out of town gifts.

I decided last night that THIS year, I'm going to be finished, I'm going to stop and enjoy the holidays, no matter what anyone else has in mind. (Keeping my fingers crossed of course).

And the best news of all, I ordered a home computer from Dell this morning !!! YAY ! will finally have one at home again !

The Girls

I had the girls of course this weekend. Little Macenzie doesn't remember Christmas trees and all the lights. She walked into the house Saturday evening and said, "Nanna, is it twistmas? Did you get me a present ?"

I have a small artificial tree in the dining room/den. This tree's purpose was for all of the decorations Steve's children had gotten for him over the years. This being the fourth year that he will not see his children, I didn't drag out all of those old boxes, rather put up blue and silver ornaments, and the girls really loved it. But I saved the best for last.

This old house we live in has four small bedrooms. Very drafty bedrooms. The two rooms up front are FINALLY made into guest rooms - each with a twin bed and more floor space. The girls aren't too sure about sleeping where they aren't right close to Nanna and Pappa, so I give in each time and make a giant pallet in the big living room. (Our bedroom door opens to this living room). We kept them occupied in the den, dining room and kitchen until it got close to bedtime. I asked Steve to keep them in there until I had their bedding ready, and lit the big live tree in the living room. They were amazed. This tree nearly touches the ceiling. Macenzie said, "Oh my goodness !! Its twistmas Nanna !". Jeidyn just looked at me and said, "Nanna, why didn't you let be put stuff on it ? " Poor baby. She's the oldest, and always my helper. I've had her with me nearly every Christmas of her life. All but one I suppose. She's my little sidekick.

So after baking cookies, we talked about Jesus' birthday, and we showed them the various nativity scenes around and they had a great night. I do believe they all want their birthdays to be Christmas birthdays - rather than Dora or Princess or Little Mermaid. !!!

We woke up Sunday morning and Macenzie climbed in bed with us. "Pappa, Is it twistmas?" I think its so sweet.

Steve and I realized that this Christmas, knock on wood, will be our first Christmas since we've been married that no one was living with us, no one was estranged from spouses, and this will be our first Christmas together alone. Looking forward to it. Believe me !

Holiday Spirit

Memories like this one with two of the granddaughters a few weekends ago are so precious to me. I made a game out of raking the leaves up into piles, and then allowing them to jump in - and they had so much fun. Even though the temps have REALLY dropped, and the ground is wet - they continue to ask to "get in the leaves".

I suppose, although I haven't been asked yet, that I'll have them again this weekend. This time, weather will demand that we stay indoors, and I'm hoping that we don't have any major accidents with the Christmas decorations or trees. Wondering if these memories they make with their Nanna will stay with them the rest of their lives as mine have that were made with my Grandmother and Granddaddy, and with Mamma and Pappa Hutch ?

I suppose we'll make cookies together and possibly tackle wrapping a gift or two so they can experience that also. I'm not sure if their mother will decorate or do gifts again this year. All of the little Christmases these babies have had, they've either lived with me and my husband or others that were kind enough to take them in while they were unable to get on their feet, and my husband and I did Santa and the gifts for the whole family. This year, they finally have their own place and I have contributed decorations and money for a tree, but have yet to hear if she's done anything about it. So I will at least try to let them experience a little of the holiday while they're with me.

Another holiday season and another struggle to enjoy the true meaning of the season rather than the inevitable drama that surrounds it in my world. Seems I'm not alone - many people dealing with blended families have to deal with the jealousy between siblings, step parents, ex-spouses.