Family Christmas Countdown

Monday, November 23, 2009

the holidays in Texas

Well- I can't believe it's already almost Thanksgiving!!! Whew, that year was stressful and fast.

This year, it's our plan to be home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I think we're actually going to a friend's home for the actual Thanksgiving feast. We're in charge of the ham and a pie.

So- this year we have a lot to be thankful for. I think that having the entire world in financial/emotional turmoil this last year has made a lot of grouchy ungrateful people. I have to admit I've probably been in that boat a few times too many this year. I've been trying to really focus on what matters and to meet life's storms head on. I think that gratitude is one of the key differentiators between those who are happy in their circumstances and those who are unable to find that happiness.

We've started putting up decorations for the holidays. Our trees (yeah, we got 3 smaller trees this year in a garage sale, and have the one main tree still (is 4 Christmas trees too many?) have begun to come up. We were going to wait longer, but realized that with all we have going on, we should at least get the trees up and start on the lights before we get too crazy. I think it was a good idea, because we had issues with lots of the lights not working this year, so we'll have to work on that to get it all up and running.

Overall, we're grateful this holiday season that we've got good support from family and friends. We're very grateful for our new home. We're grateful for a sense of calm that we can have in the walls of our home, and the peace that we feel when we stare in the eyes of our little girls. I know that things have been rough this past year for many of us. In facing our challenges, I know that we've become stronger, even though sometimes it may feel otherwise.

Down here in Texas, we miss you all dearly, and hope you are all having a good beginning to your holiday season.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Thanksgiving plans

Just thought I'd do a small post and ask what everyone's got in mind for their thanksgivings? We're going quietly here, and we're also skipping turkey and having a prime rib instead. Found a really great deal at IGA in Kenai on a prime rib, and we're all excited. We used to have this friend that said there was no reason to ruin a perfectly good holiday with turkey. :) But I don't know if we'll miss having turkey or not. Anyway, it'll just be me and Justin, and mom and dad - quiet and low key, and all about the food as usual. :)

So what are you guys up to? And how long until you put up your Christmas trees? I'm aiming to have my tree up by the end of the week. I think mom wants to get hers up this week too, but I'll let her answer herself.