"Tis the Season to be Mary!"

This Christmas was a quiet one. Unlike in year's past, there were no visitors. Just Jeff, me and the boys. I was a little worried before hand, not knowing how we'd spend the day. But I have to say, as much as I love visitors, this Christmas was definitely relaxing and just as memorable.

The day started off slow. In fact, the boys didn't wake up until 10:00 AM (that's my boys!). Jeff and I waited in our room, eager to see Garrett's reaction to the presents left for him. Our waiting paid off...I'll never forget his almost frenzied shock and awe that "Santa came, Santa came!" It still makes me smile just thinking about it.

Garrett's very specific wish list from Santa this year was simple (gotta love that boy!): a Blue Power Ranger's costume (wish he could've told me that BEFORE Halloween was over though), and a squirrel toy (huh? what's a squirrel toy? Exactly my same question. You see, when we were in Florida, he saw tons of squirrels...so he immediately began asking for a squirrel toy. I ended up getting him a stuffed animal. Needless to say, he loves it! And it goes everywhere with us.) We also gave him a new desk that he can sit and draw at. I got tired of him sitting on the arm of my chair while I worked. So I decided to get him his own! Now he can sit in the office with me and we can both "work" together.

Isaac received a basketball hoop and lots of Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story figurines. The kid loves Buzz. From the time he was about 15 months old, he could sing the notes to "To Infinity and Beyond!" Hilarious.

After presents were opened (which took much longer than I thought due to the fact that after each present, Garrett would run off and play with it. I actually had to demand that he keep opening another present), I put my new Christmas waffle maker to good use. We had a great breakfast/lunch (aka: brunch!). Then we settled down for a nice relaxing afternoon. By 7:00, we all needed to get out of the house. So we drove around and (gratefully) found that my favorite restaurant, IHOP, was open. Breakfast again? Nope, a nice salad and Diet Coke with lemon.

Once we got home again, I had the strange desire to take down the tree and put away every Christmas decoration in sight! I'm not sure what came over me. But at that point, I was so done with the holiday. I know Jeff thought I was crazy, but it was nice to go to bed knowing that my house was "back to normal."

Shoot, before we all know it...we'll be putting it all BACK up!

Until next year...

The Six Days of Christmas

Shortly after my parents visit to Dallas at the beginning of November, we realized that their 3 and 1/2 day trip was just not long enough. Mind you, with my parents having 7 kids living in 5 different locations around the world (literally...my sister lives in China), they have become world travelers! Combine that with both of them working full time at work and church, it's hard to actually catch them at home with "nothing to do!" But thankfully, with a little wiggle room in between their Thanksgiving trip to Utah and their Christmas trip to Hawaii, we were able to plan a quick, week-long trip to Florida. Unfortunately, Jeff wasn't able to take work off, so just me and the boys took flight!

I hadn't been back to my parents' house (outside of Jacksonville) for over a year, so it was so nice to go home and be babied once again by my mom. She really is the greatest hostess ever! Not only did she do all our laundry every day, but she is always so great about having meals prepared and memorable activities planned. Each day we literally had a detailed agenda! Not to mention, she had completely decked out the house with Christmas decor (all for the boys' sake) and even had presents wrapped under the tree for Garrett and Isaac...one for each night we were there. We quickly dubbed our nightly present opening, "The Six Days of Christmas." Her thoughtfulness will be remembered for a long time to come.

I never realized that a short trip home could recharge me like it did. I especially treasured the time that my boys had to spend with their grandparents. I'd give anything to have them live closer! I hold on to the hope that maybe one day, they will! Needless to say, this trip home was extra special. It made me remember why I'm a mother...because I've had the example of parents who constantly proved that life is made complete, because of, and through their children.

I'm also grateful for parents who continue to be, well...my parents. I appreciate the advice and emotional support they give to Jeff and me. We don't know everything yet, so their examples are priceless. We seem to have a lot of unknowns lately...enough to throw us both for a loop. So we've both come to rely on the constant steady hand that my parent's advice provides. I can't imagine my life without it.

Of course our trip wasn't complete without visiting the St. John's River pier (I actually jumped in that river once....key word, once!), enjoying the lights in St. Augustine (THE oldest city in the United States), the Christmas Fair in Green Cove Springs, and making Gingerbread houses with Craig and Cassie (my little brother and his darling wife), who came over from Gainesville to visit. It was fun to spend time with them. By the end of the trip Garrett had a new best friend...Cassie! I think it was due to the fact that she was the only one that would sit down with him and play Play-Do for hours! That girl is creative!

Anyway, since our Christmas is going to be rather quiet this year (no visitors), it was nice to fill our cantine of family love before hand. Love you Mom and Dad! And, Go Gators!