The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Merry Christmas everyone!

What a year! What a SEASON! You know I'd be lying if I said this has been my favorite Christmas season. To be honest, I've been kind of hum-buggin' it. We put up the tree early, but I was SO not in the mood for Christmas-time that I ordered the remaining Christmas decor back into the garage! I suppose I could say I'm learning the wisdom of the old adages, "choose your battles," "learn to say 'no", "don't bite off more than you can chew", "Don't put too much on your plate" (although, one of the wisest women I know pointed out - and rightly, I think - that some people have very SMALL plates). You get my drift. But, if you know me even a little, you know that I learn better from trudging through misery than by the simplicity of LISTENING to good advice! I think I'm just plain old POOPED.

Yesterday was our traditional Christmas party. The one we have at my parents home, Santa is also invited. It is so much fun! I truly love being around my family. I love the interaction, the personalities meshing, the appreciation of what our parents have accomplished. I love watching the kids light up as Santa jollies through Grandma's door. I love the feelings of positivity coming from the people who know you best, yet still seem to believe that despite your faults, you are one of the most amazing people in the world! I love being there with my husband and my children and knowing they, too, are wrapped in the cocoon of love this family has provided me from birth. However, yesterday was also a very hard day for reasons which some of you may already know and yet are too personal to write about in a public blog. But how wonderful, how amazing, and what a blessing from Heavenly Father that even as I felt I would not desire a smile for the rest of my life I still found myself doubling over in both pain and laughter as my animated brother told story after story, joke after joke. Giggling at my grand-nephew (makes me sound old) as he continually yelled to Santa, "I want Bumblebee!" Melting as my husband hovered and hugged, ever ready to spare me of extra pain. Overwhelmed with love as my children hugged me. My Nikoli doing his best to keep me as happy as can be,"Mom, you don't have to worry about me because I already ate. Not only junk food, either. Healthy stuff, like turkey." To me, yesterday was one of those "tender mercies" Heavenly Father gives even when we feel like we are on the brink of collapse. I truly believe that! I believe that when we are so bogged down by life and trials, pain, suffering, stress, or whatever, Heavenly Father sends us tender mercies. He loves us. I hope I can remember the realization that Heavenly Father made sure I would be surrounded with love even when I felt I had love ripped away. He loves me. He loves us all.

Today is a day of rest. I am taking it slow in my pj's all day. A rare treat. However, I'm in the bread baking mood. After watching Julie and Julia I am inspired not only to blog, but to make French Bread. I'm sure my enthusiasm will wane when my bread comes out a little too hard, but I'm still up for the challenge.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone! I hope that even after the excitement of new gifts, Christmas lights, and reindeer wear off, we are all able to remember the love we felt at Christmas time.