Christmas Memories

I love the Christmas holiday. I love the smell, the sights, the lights, the decorations, the general Christmas cheer and spirit that seems to be all around. As Colin gets older, yet still doesn't understand all the encompasses Christmas, I think back to my fondest childhood Christmas memories.

When I was a young child each Christmas Eve we would go to my Grandparents house in Park Estates. We would have a family dinner and then attend Christmas Eve service. I think this is where I fell in love with the traditions and true joy of attending the Christmas Eve service. There were four of us children, my brother, my two cousins, and me. It was all we could do to sit still in the service. We all knew at the conclusion of the service that we would return to our Grandparent's house to open presents.

Every year my grandfather would somehow disappear stating that he had to go to the bathroom(but since we were so young and captivated by the Christmas spirit, we rarely noticed.) Suddenly, there would be a knock at the door and a ringing of Santa's bells. Soon Santa would be in living room with a red sack in tow. We couldn't believe our eyes, we were amazed, we were getting an early visit from Santa. He knew all our names, and called us one at a time to sit on his lap and asked us all if we had been good boys and girls (and of course you know how we answered.) Santa would look in his sack and pull out presents for each of us as well as a plastic-shaped candy cane filled with M&Ms. We were so delighted. But soon Santa had to leave, he had to get ready for his big night and would leave. Santa would stand in the doorway, wave goodbye, and let out a jolly "HO, HO, HO."

Even as a child we all knew it was our grandfather, but none of us ever uttered a word that it was him. We became so overwhelmed by the moment that it kept us from saying anything. My Grandmother told us years later after our grandfather had past away that he loved doing it each year and that the suit he borrowed was from a friend who smoked. My grandmother stated that he always complained that it smelled so horribly.

These are my memories. I hope that as a parent I will be able to create vivid and special memories for my child. Even though Colin won't remember this Christmas, it is the things we do, the people we share the time with, the traditions we create and start now that will hopefully build memories for him.

Merry Christmas to all. May your holiday season bring out old and create new memories for you to treasure.

Goodwill

Of course at this time of year a majority of us are looking at our Christmas list and out shopping for those family and friends. This weekend Robert and I are going to a Christmas party and we need to take a "White Elephant" Christmas gift. I screached the house for something memoriable, all I could find was expired contraception sticks, and decided to pass on that.

So, I was headed out to Goodwill to find a once-garage sale- item. Something special, something that said "what the heck is that?" or "who would have ever bought this in the first place?"

The first Goodwill had a couple of items that I might just have to go back for if I can't find anything else.

However the second Goodwill I went to was a different story. The store was very sparse. As I looked around at the items, I noticed the shoppers. While I was coming to the store for a gag gift of sorts. There were people in the store shopping for items for their families or Christmas gifts. And then I became sad. I had to leave, I couldn't really look at the stuff.

It made me realize how fortunate I am. I live a very well life, my child will live very well. And when I think that I don't have all that I want. I must realize that while I will always have wants or desires in my life, I will probably be able to have some of those things. There are those individuals that will always have wants and desires and never have them filled.

Appreciating my husband & grocery shopping

I love my husband dearly, he is a very loving, gentle, and overall good guy. He is tremendously helpful with just about anything, with the exception of cleaning the bathroom. (I of course let this slide since he is so exceptional in all other areas.) I tell him everyday that I love him, this is not hard to do at all.

But Rob is traveling again this week and when he is gone I definitely realize all that he contributes to the family.

Rob is an amazing father to Colin. I know that not all father's take such an active role in their children's life, but Rob is not like that. He eagerly waits to see his son get up from his nap, he feeds him, clothes him, changes his poopie diapers without complaint, he bathes Colin.

I love watching Rob read to Colin it is about one of the most precious moments. Rob and Colin play games together that they only understand.

Well its just me and Colin this week. Its only Monday and it wasn't the best day. I'll some it up:

We dropped Rob off at the airport.

We returned the DVD's to Blockbuster. So far so good.

We went to Ralph's for groceries (now I travel past two other Ralph's to get to the one that has a better produce selection).

Colin had a super soaker of a diaper, clothes totally gone. (this is were it goes down hill).

The seat belt on the basket broken. (can't leave Colin AKA Super Destruction Boy alone for a second).

Colin won't sit still. (Shocker)

Have to carry Colin & Shop (always fun-I remember the days he was in the infant carrier).

Due to his wet clothes, I obtained two pee soaked sweatshirt arms.

I stood in line for 15 minutes before getting out of line to further contemplate leaving a full cart of food (by knew we desperately need the groceries) & migraine has now set in and I can't see squat.

Felt bad about leaving a full cart of food, got back in line.

Waited in line for another 10minutes before checking out.

The checker asked my 3 times if I would like paper or plastic. (At that point I wanted to tell the checker to stick the plastic bags where the sun doesn't shine.)

We made it out, Thank God!

We made it home, Colin fell asleep.

I was able to take some drugs, eat some lunch. And thankful the headache is finally beginning to subside.

These are the days that I look forward to Robert coming home, this will not happen today. So all I hope for is a good evening and a peaceful night, so we can start anew tomorrow.

I love Rob. And while I appreciate him everyday, I really appreciate him the most when he is gone and I eagerly await his arrival home.