Christmas Eve

This is my 2nd Christmas being married and having our own house. Our house is filled with chihuahuas, food, and family (specifically my sis in law Breezy who is spending the night).

I know I have said this to my mom but it only becomes more true as time goes by being an "adult". When I lived with my parents, Christmas was so special. Waking up early in the morning, staying in our pajamas while mom cooked an AWESOME breakfast, and we would open our gifts all together. Now, it's different. We (Josh & I) wake up alone to a house filled with puppies but no other people (except this year). We will get our house ready for our families to come and see us but it isn't really the same. Not to say that I don't absolutely LOVE Christmas but it's just different now that we are on our own.

I realize that this is sounding sad because Breezy is reading this and said so. Ummmm...happy thoughts for Christmas. I remember the year "Santa" left footprints in our house from the snow. That was amazing! I remember the many Christmas Dad made it home just in time and how happy I was that he was back home, safe and sound. I remember mom always buying me Christmas pajamas and we would spend a day baking cookies in our pajamas. I remember always buying a special ornament for each year from Hallmark or Carlton Cards and how hard it was to just pick one.

I now realize how much my parents loved me to make sure that every Christmas I got great gifts. I never took into consideration that they already spent all year buying "presents" for me. Maybe not in the form of gift wrapped boxes but they paid for my tuition to a private school to better my education. They took me EVERYWHERE before I had a license. They let me try soccerr, piano lessons, voice lessons, girl scouts, choir, praise band, and dancing. They feed me and my friends EVERYDAY (this alone had to be like several thousands of dollars. We like to eat. :))

My parents were the reason for Christmas magic for me. I hope, one day, I will be able to pass along that same magic to my children. But for now, I will remember all the many, many, many things I am thankful for and remember all the magic in a new way, by giving.

Have a magical Christmas,
Larisa