Yes, its February and yes, I'm blogging abvout Christmas, but what a Christmas it was. Did you know that being a Mommy at Christmas is the most exciting thing in the world. Did you know that giving gifts and showing love and sending cards and getting to see my family thrills my soul? Did you know that I have the most amazing husband, son, family, in-laws, nephews, niece, neighbors, and friends? Even my dogs are awesome. I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams. I deserve no blessings, and yet God piles them into my life with amazing love. Life is good. Christmas was great.
As previously blogged, the holiday season was kicked off with our annual Burfitt family reunion. The next weekend was supposed to be Christmas Village with my best girlfriends, but the stomach virus attacked my family so that was out. Then we dove into Thanksgiving, family pictures and some little tubes in my little buddies ears. I need to blog about this seperately, because it was an experience for sure. November flew by and Thanksgiving with Amy, Corey, CJ, Luke and Daddy was a memorable one for sure. (more to come on my sweet Luke too).
On to December! Oh how I love December. Christmas decorations, baking goodies for my family and friends, cards in the mail, laughter, cold weather, warm hearts, snuggling my hubby and little buddy, shopping, excitement. . . Oh Christmas, I LOVE CHRISTMAS! December brings lots of fun. The first event of the month is my CJ's birthday. This year, his 15TH! Holy Cow Batman! CJ is 15, has a driving permit and looks like a grown man. He is amazing and I am so proud of the young man that he has become. We celebrated his birthday at my house. Bill cooked shrimp and we ate until we couldn't move, then we played the Wii and danced until I couldn't laugh anymore, then we ate ice cream cake until we all were sick. It was great.
The second big event was the Parkin family party. We all visited at Aunt Cathy and Uncle Pat's house. The annual once a year visit. There was a house full, with Cathy Pat, Bradley, Brandon, Stephanie, Buddy, Anita, Lauren, Melanie, Jason, Sarah, Stacie, Amy, Corey, CJ, Luke, Bill, Will and me. (I am naming everyone so when I am old, I will be able to look back and remember who all we celebrated with). Dad didn't make it and was missed, but we had a great time. The Parkin family party can be summed up in two words - FOOD and FUN! I look forward to this every year. Did I mention I love traditions?
The next big event is Christmas Eve at Aunt Lynda and Uncle Dan's house. We started that morning with a trip to the mall with Grandma Deb and the day was perfect. We shopped and laughed and ate Japanese on Christmas Eve (and Will bit a bruise on my arm at the restaurant). We ended the day with a hundred people in Sylvan Springs eating enough food for 500. We have tons of wee ones in our family now and it rocks. We spent a good portion of the night running outside to see if Santa was coming on the firetruck. HE FINALLY CAME. Cany ou believe it? Santa took time out on Christmas Eve to ride a firetruck and throw candy to us.
We went home with a tired baby and tired Mommy and Daddy. My little man passed out and Bill and I sat around and talked. I did read the Christmas Story from the Bible to Will, even though he was sleeping. I will make sure that we enjoy that tradition every year for as long as I am breathing. I mean, it is why we are celebrating and it is kind of a big deal that Jesus was born.
On a side note, Did you know that sometimes the elves and Santa don't put all the toys together and this can cause marital strife when they are delivered on Christmas Eve and Mommy and Daddy have to do it?
CHRISTMAS DAY!
Grandma and Memaw and Papa got to our house before 7 and we had to wake the little guy up. He was very confused when he went to the living room and had visitors, but super excited as alaways to see them. It took him a while to even notice that he had gifts under the tree. He was a little overwhelmed all of the attention, new things and excitement first thing in the morning. I am not a morning person and neither it takes him a minute to get going too. He loved his basketball goal and tool table. He wasn't sure of Chuck the Rumbling Truck once it started moving on its on, but he loves it now.
I cooked Christmas Dinner for our family and the day was filled with visitors. Grandaddy came to visit, then PawPaw, the Amy, Corey, CJ and Luke came and we ate dinner together. Then the neighbors came for a visit. There was no nap on Christmas Day, but boy was it fun. Oh, and one more thing, IT SNOWED! My first snow on Christmas in 32 years and it was perfect. Thank you Lord!
The final festivity for Christmas was the day after when we loaded up and went to Uncle Jeromy and Aunt Jessica's house for dinner. Grandaddy and Chelle Belle were there, with Uncle Daniel, Aunt Lindsey and of course, sweet Ryleigh. We got more gifts, ate more, laughed more and had a great time. Will got a rocking horse from Grandaddy and Chelle Belle and it is his favorite Christmas prize.
So there is two months worth of blogging. WOW! Surely one day, I will get this baby int he bed before 11 at night and be able to blog again as events unfold. Either way, this is my journal our memories and I don't want to miss anything. One day, Will can tell his children about our family traditions and hopefully he will remember how important holding on to those things and the people who love you truly it.
