Christmas Whirlwind

 As a child it was homemade stockings hung by the chimney and real Christmas trees.  It was waking up at the crack of dawn, bounding downstairs ready to see what Santa had left.  It was treks to Grandma Bert's on Christmas Eve, endless Scrabble games and going home to watch the Sound of Music and heading to Grandma Na's in the morning. 

Now, we've grown a little bit.  There are a couple more stockings hung and nights at Grandma's don't last quite as long because there's more places to go.  This year, we had four Christmas celebrations...

And once again Grandma Bert said it was the best Christmas ever.  Papaw Paul told me he intended to get "Me and Mama a handheld vac," so my gift of money was greatly appreciated.  Grandma told me, "You can get whatever you want on that... what's it called? Internet?" as she handed me my Amazon gift card.  And Caleb came away like a bandit with money... and we moved on to Nana's house.

Where Will laughed as Regina opened his presents just like he knew what she was doing.  And Kami, who had rode home with us, fed Will and fit right in, just like she belonged, which is the amazing part of our family, mine and Wallace's... we truly are one family.  Caleb was happy with his beats and looked at me and said, "This is the best Christmas ever and I still have Mamaw Karen's."

And we snuggled and HE read Luke 2, struggling over some of the words but mostly getting them right, and then there was Twas the Night Before Christmas and God Gave us Christmas, and our favorite, The Crippled Lamb.

Santa came with Itunes cards and tic-tacs and a small Lego kit, and made his way down Twin Cedar Road to fill the stockings hung at Mamaw Karen's, too. The house felt a little empty as Holly was on a call, but we grow up and have to do grownup things and the present opening went on without her...and I think everyone was satisfied.  Mom got me the best- book cards and a volleyball and basketball charm for my bracelet and printed off my entire blog from 2012 in a notebook.

Then we were the last to arrive at Grandma Na's and instead of the house seeming tiny it just seemed cozy as we handed out presents and hugs and laughter, and while it was a little warm everyone found a place to sit and eat Dirt Cake and Banana Pudding and the best mashed potatotes Nora ever made (although every bowl is always the best ever...).  And then family pic time brought us all outside and we managed to take it in less than 10 minutes, a real accomplishment.

The day ended with biscuits and gravy and a long bath and reading and napping on the couch.  I am blessed, four generations on both sides and lots of love to go around, and the greatest gift of all in baby Jesus, who humbled Himself and then died on a cross for my sins, for our sins.  And tomorrow will be just another day but it will be a new day and His grace will still be sufficient.

Merry Christmas!  May you be richly blessed with the true meaning of the season!