It's Christmas Day 2013. Twenty-thirteen! I'm not sure I ever really thought about what life would be like in 2013 - seemed way too far in the future. But here I am living in the future.
For the most part, today started like any other day. Devo, breakfast, walk the dog - but while walking Bon Jovi, at around 8:00 a.m., kids in the neighborhood were already out riding new bicycles, and riding toys and even a dirt bike on the river bed trail. My mind flashed back to those days when my boys were little and they were outside riding bikes, and/or playing with whatever toy Santa brought. I had to smile.
Back at home after the walk, I shower and get dressed.
Ron is lying on the couch watching a movie on TV.
Matthew is still asleep.
Yep, it seems like a normal day off, except there is a Christmas tree in the living room with presents around it. Not your normal day off at all.
The plan was for Sarah to get here between 10-10:30 a.m. Then eat lunch right at noon, so she could leave to go down to Pete's parent's house for Christmas with them. We were sandwiched in between a few minutes with her mom this morning, and dinner and Christmas with her future in-laws this afternoon/evening. (Next Christmas I think we'll have to plan to celebrate on different days, it will wear them out trying to get to three parents' houses in one day. That would be nuts.)
We all knew she would be late...but I went ahead with the meal prep timeline anyway. The menu is pretty simple this year. There are only four of us.
Ham
Sweet Potatoes
Corn on the cob (new menu item this year instead of mashed potatoes and gravy)
Green Bean Casserole
Salad
Dinner rolls
Apple pie, Christmas cut-out Sugar cookies, and Fudge for dessert.
Simple, but yummy.
Sure enough, Sarah didn't get here until 11:00 a.m. By then the Ham was ready to come out of the oven and brushed with the glaze, the vegetables would go in the oven at 11:30, then return the Ham to the oven after glazing and boiling the water for the corn.
After hugs and hellos, Ron read the Christmas story, from Luke 2. It's a tradition with us, and especially this year since the kids weren't at church Sunday. It's always a good way to keep our minds focused on the reason for the season. The kitchen timer went off... then Michael called. They had finished opening presents already. I talked to all of them for a few minutes, they were happy and excited about their gifts. I hated to cut the conversation short, but I explained we were just getting ready to open presents...
Matthew was happy with his new xbox game, xbox live one year subscription, and gifts cards for clothes, gas, and food.
Sarah was very excited about the LSAT trilogy to study for the test again. Who else would be excited about text books for Christmas? She was also very happy about the Suits, season 3 (which is pre-ordered), and gift cards for clothing, and gas.
We all thought it was weird without Aaron, and quieter, too. (He's coming home Sunday after the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl game on Saturday).
Ron loved the cologne, Angels baseball tickets, and his annual Franklin Planner refill, but this year he got a new binder, too. He had asked for a hydraulic jack so he could begin working on his car, but I knew he didn't really want a car jack. Later he admitted he liked the Angel tickets and gift cards to Bass Pro and Starbuck's much better. Yeh, I knew that. He's such a kid.
I was excited to open my iPad mini. It's a gift from Ron, even though I picked it out and paid for half of it! But it's what I wanted and it was on sale...I'm excited, but afraid to use it. I want to really like it and be glad I got it. I was also very happy with the necklace and earrings Ron picked out when we met at the mall a couple of days ago. (He should have got only one or the other, not both, but they are beautiful).
Lunch was good and everything was hot, but not over cooked or anything in spite of the fact that I had to keep going back and forth while opening presents to take things out and/or put things in. Fortunately, the table was already set.
Sarah left right after lunch. Matthew played his new game. Ron continued watching the movie on TV. I did the dishes.
We went to see The Hobbit in the afternoon. That's another tradition in our family now. We got there about 45 minutes before the show time. We didn't have to wait in line for tickets, or snacks, or even to get into the theater. And we had pretty much our choice of seats. But we were soon glad we had arrived early, because the theater quickly filled up. I loved this movie. It's my favorite so far in the series, but the ending is driving me crazy. Will I have to wait until next Christmas to find out what happens? (I guess I could read the book).
It was a really good Christmas, and I was more thankful than usual for the presents under the tree - maybe because of the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace class and being conscious of where the money is going. Maybe because of Tina's health challenges (throat cancer) and just wanting to enjoy life every day. Whatever the reason, I am grateful.
Tired from the excitement of the day (and the days leading up to today), we just had leftovers from lunch - which was still awesome. Then settled in to relax a bit on the couch and watch TV.
I still love looking at the lights on the Christmas tree even without any presents, so peaceful.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
For the most part, today started like any other day. Devo, breakfast, walk the dog - but while walking Bon Jovi, at around 8:00 a.m., kids in the neighborhood were already out riding new bicycles, and riding toys and even a dirt bike on the river bed trail. My mind flashed back to those days when my boys were little and they were outside riding bikes, and/or playing with whatever toy Santa brought. I had to smile.
Back at home after the walk, I shower and get dressed.
Ron is lying on the couch watching a movie on TV.
Matthew is still asleep.
Yep, it seems like a normal day off, except there is a Christmas tree in the living room with presents around it. Not your normal day off at all.
The plan was for Sarah to get here between 10-10:30 a.m. Then eat lunch right at noon, so she could leave to go down to Pete's parent's house for Christmas with them. We were sandwiched in between a few minutes with her mom this morning, and dinner and Christmas with her future in-laws this afternoon/evening. (Next Christmas I think we'll have to plan to celebrate on different days, it will wear them out trying to get to three parents' houses in one day. That would be nuts.)
We all knew she would be late...but I went ahead with the meal prep timeline anyway. The menu is pretty simple this year. There are only four of us.
Ham
Sweet Potatoes
Corn on the cob (new menu item this year instead of mashed potatoes and gravy)
Green Bean Casserole
Salad
Dinner rolls
Apple pie, Christmas cut-out Sugar cookies, and Fudge for dessert.
Simple, but yummy.
Sure enough, Sarah didn't get here until 11:00 a.m. By then the Ham was ready to come out of the oven and brushed with the glaze, the vegetables would go in the oven at 11:30, then return the Ham to the oven after glazing and boiling the water for the corn.
After hugs and hellos, Ron read the Christmas story, from Luke 2. It's a tradition with us, and especially this year since the kids weren't at church Sunday. It's always a good way to keep our minds focused on the reason for the season. The kitchen timer went off... then Michael called. They had finished opening presents already. I talked to all of them for a few minutes, they were happy and excited about their gifts. I hated to cut the conversation short, but I explained we were just getting ready to open presents...
Matthew was happy with his new xbox game, xbox live one year subscription, and gifts cards for clothes, gas, and food.
Sarah was very excited about the LSAT trilogy to study for the test again. Who else would be excited about text books for Christmas? She was also very happy about the Suits, season 3 (which is pre-ordered), and gift cards for clothing, and gas.
We all thought it was weird without Aaron, and quieter, too. (He's coming home Sunday after the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl game on Saturday).
Ron loved the cologne, Angels baseball tickets, and his annual Franklin Planner refill, but this year he got a new binder, too. He had asked for a hydraulic jack so he could begin working on his car, but I knew he didn't really want a car jack. Later he admitted he liked the Angel tickets and gift cards to Bass Pro and Starbuck's much better. Yeh, I knew that. He's such a kid.
I was excited to open my iPad mini. It's a gift from Ron, even though I picked it out and paid for half of it! But it's what I wanted and it was on sale...I'm excited, but afraid to use it. I want to really like it and be glad I got it. I was also very happy with the necklace and earrings Ron picked out when we met at the mall a couple of days ago. (He should have got only one or the other, not both, but they are beautiful).
Lunch was good and everything was hot, but not over cooked or anything in spite of the fact that I had to keep going back and forth while opening presents to take things out and/or put things in. Fortunately, the table was already set.
Sarah left right after lunch. Matthew played his new game. Ron continued watching the movie on TV. I did the dishes.
We went to see The Hobbit in the afternoon. That's another tradition in our family now. We got there about 45 minutes before the show time. We didn't have to wait in line for tickets, or snacks, or even to get into the theater. And we had pretty much our choice of seats. But we were soon glad we had arrived early, because the theater quickly filled up. I loved this movie. It's my favorite so far in the series, but the ending is driving me crazy. Will I have to wait until next Christmas to find out what happens? (I guess I could read the book).
It was a really good Christmas, and I was more thankful than usual for the presents under the tree - maybe because of the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace class and being conscious of where the money is going. Maybe because of Tina's health challenges (throat cancer) and just wanting to enjoy life every day. Whatever the reason, I am grateful.
Tired from the excitement of the day (and the days leading up to today), we just had leftovers from lunch - which was still awesome. Then settled in to relax a bit on the couch and watch TV.
I still love looking at the lights on the Christmas tree even without any presents, so peaceful.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
