The kids let us sleep in today!! yeah!! which was great considering we fought over the covers all night and I hardly slept! Rich and I both got up at 9am! That's a rare moment! I got busy working on the laundry hoping everyone would have their best to wear tomorrow. I also got busy working on all sorts of snacks and treats for the holidays. It feels so nice to sit down. I've been on my feet all morning!

I'm sad that we will be missing out on one of our family traditions this year. We usually spend Christmas Eve w/ Rich's parents. We begin our time reading the real Christmas story and then exchange gifts and eat dinner. Today Bob called to say Linda has the stomach flu. :( We will really miss seeing them as we have been looking forward to it for awhile! It's just not the same to switch up tradition! :(

Rich is busy trying to fix our lanterns that line the street for Christmas Eve. Our neighborhood has a beautiful display of lights every year. Many of the families participate. It's one of our very favorite traditions this allotment holds. :) It's pouring outside.. and Rich has got to be freezing! I would fix him a nice hot bath if I knew he'd actually take one.. he's not in to baths like I am! :)

We're looking forward to attending the Christmas Eve service tonight w/ the kids. Luke and Abby love to sing Christmas songs and I'm sure they will enjoy participating in the candlelit service! The kids are very excited about seeing my brother's kids tomorrow. It's been a while since we've been together. I'm excited about the kids opening up their new gifts tomorrow. Abby's getting a dollhouse from "Santa"... w/ accessories and a Lego Marble game. Luke is getting a Star Wars Lego from "Santa" that he's had his eyes on for quite a while and Rollerblades w/ lots of padding and protection! The kids bought gifts for each other and us from the dollar store. I think it's important for them to learn to give and think of others and not just receive. I wrapped a ton of "Dollar store" items for them to add to the fun. I'm also excited to give the kids a special gift I have been working on.. it's homemade... I was just about to spill the beans about what it is.. but Rich doesn't know what it is yet, so I better not tell to quick. It's in a HUGE box... so I know he thinks I spent a ton on it b/c it's big, but I really didn't, it's just large.

A tradition I started years ago is that I always like to get up while it's still dark outside... so we're all going to bed early tonight so we can start our morning early. As we're getting close to opening our gifts I can't help but wonder if the children we sent gifts to this year have received their packages yet?! I wish I could have watched them open their gifts. I tried hard to make good choices of things that would be lasting and room for creativity.

Recently I've been in touch w/ friends from the past through facebook.. It sometimes stirs up bad memories for me, as I never had a really good large group of friends growing up. I had a few good friends from church and the neighborhood but that's it. Most of my school friends I would just see at school. I was ok with that b/c I had different values from them and didn't enjoy the same things they did. I was happy to busy myself w/ time spent w/ family and church but I was always a little sad that I didn't have a better group of friends I could relate to. Since we got married and moved here I have been so pleased w/ this city, and the people who live here. I have so many good friends here. I have met some really good people! I love our church. Rich and I have been truly blessed w/ our home situation and his job. I have much to be thankful for!