The Festivities

Despite much disappointment this Christmas about not being in Hawaii, I must admit that this year was a wonderful Christmas. It didn't have the adventure, the warm weather or the tans but we did have a few small gifts, lots of game playing and movie watching, dinners with family and relaxing. In previous years we go from one family gathering to the next. We cram 3-4 gatherings into a 2 day time period - we are busy. This year, we only had 1 day with 2 gatherings, but both were so low key. I quite enjoyed it.

Christmas Eve was quiet - much more then usual. There was me and my parents. That's it. Both my brothers have girlfriends who also had family stuff that night, so they headed over there to do gifts and their family Christmases. My parents and I ordered Chinese food (which was cold by the time it was delivered) and watched "It's a Wonderful Life". At the end of the evening we laughed at our very simple Christmas. The other night I was out for coffee with my wonderful friend, Sabrina. She pointed out to me that it was a very neat Christmas Eve that I had because 3 years ago, I would have never predicted that I would one day be home by myself with my parents, enjoying time spent with them on Christmas. She's right. It was a neat little "a-ha" moment. I am blessed that my relationship with my parents has grown into something that all 3 of us can appreciate. Talk about a wonderful Christmas gift.

Christmas morning, we opened some little gifts my mom has compiled for us - most of our stocking's content contained munchies, headbands and hair elastics that were intended for the airplane and for being in Hawaii, but you can never have too many hair elastics! Plus, a Starbucks card at the bottom of the stocking can cheer anyone up.

After a quiet Christmas morning, we all got ready and headed down to the Holiday Inn for Christmas brunch. For the past 30 years, my mom's extended family has been getting together for Christmas brunch at a hotel. For some, it's the only time we see these relatives all year and it's neat to find out what has happened in the last year. I have so many fond memories from time spent with this side of the family growing up and it's neat that we continue to keep these traditions 30 years later.

Following brunch, we made our way to my Grandma's for yet another quiet Christmas. There was no doubt that there was a sadness/disappointment in the room as we all gathered around to play a game, but it didn't take long for the moods to pick up and laughter to fill the room again. Due to the change in plans this Christmas, my Grandma didn't have a turkey for dinner, so we had what is in my opinion one of the greatest meals: Appetizers!!! We had everything from spicy wings to mozza sticks to fruit platters. It was perfect!
Dominika is a not a coffee drinker by any means - she hates it. I was making a pot of coffee at my Grandma's (as there are a few people who cannot live with out it) when Dominika approached me and asked if she could have a cup. I think my jaw dropped to the floor in disbelief. When the pot was ready, I poured Dom a cup.
She then proceeded to dump out half of the coffee into the sink, fill the rest of the cup up with milk, add 6 teaspoons of sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla. She was so proud she was drinking coffee and liking it. I felt I needed to inform her that what she was drinking was not coffee by any standards, but rather sugar and milk.
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As the Christmas season approaches, you may notice that there are TONS of movies that hit theaters on Christmas day. I've always wondered who goes to movies on Christmas? Well....this year, it was me. My cousins and brothers and I all went to see "Four Christmases" together at 10pm on Christmas day. It was a lot of fun to do something all together and laugh out loud. It was a very funny movie - not sure if I would say that's it's worth the $10 to see it in theaters, but it's definitely rental worthy. Very funny.

Boxing Day. Yes, I hit the malls running at 8am on Friday morning. I waited in a 20 minute line to get my caffeine fix and then was on a mission. I found a couple good finds but overall the sales weren't that spectacular. I have been boxing day shopping for years and years and I needed to keep up the tradition this year as well. Plus, since I had been saving a large sum of money for Hawaii, I had a little extra cash to spend this year, which makes shopping much more enjoyable when you have the means to do it.

Later that evening, my parents took us kids out for dinner at the Keg as our Christmas dinner. We ate until we could eat no more. It was all so delicious. I must admit that I am enjoying spending time with my family very much. Never in a million years did I think those words would come out of my mouth, but it's true. God has done some awesome things in the lives of my family.



After dinner, I met up with Sabrina for coffee. It was a delightful way to end off the day. Sabrina, I enjoy our conversations so much. Thanks for challenging me, for listening to my heart and for all the laughs we can share together. I am blessed to have you as a friend. Love you lots!

All in all, it was a fabulous Christmas. This Christmas will definitely be one to remember - not only for the cancellation of flights, but also one of growth. I met with Jesus in a very simple way and I have discovered the joy that comes when Jesus works within the unexpected.