We woke up quite early (as kids do on days where presents are involved). We had a simple breakfast, and then... we drove off to Target because there were some last minute odds and ends to finish up.
We stopped at Starbucks, and when we got to Target we were surprised to find the stores had finally calmed down. There was no rushing about. There were no insane lines. There were no grinch-like people, and it, in an odd way, felt like Christmas should. Maybe it was because it was 8:30 AM or maybe it was because it was Christmas Eve, but regardless it felt magical.
The kind of magic where things are quiet and slow, where your husband is off work, and your kids are home from school, and you can just enjoy your family and their laughter and jokes. A Christmas Eve where your heart is full, and you just feel so much love! Where you listen to what your kids want from Santa, and recount Christmases past. All of this while sipping on something warm and wandering the aisles of your family's favorite store. Truth be told, it is not my husband's favorite store. Home Depot is. But, the kids and I love Target and so my wonderful husband puts on his beautiful smile and let's the kids and I enjoy ourselves.
Guys, it was just so good! So simple.
We headed to Aunt Caroline's and Uncle John's. She had made cookies for our kiddos to decorate and taught them all the Christmas cookie tricks. We had brunch, and enjoyed her amazing breakfast pizza and homemade cinnamon rolls. There was more laughter and presents. They spoiled us rotten. DC even declared at home that they had given him "the best lego ever." He was so proud to build it, and every page would come to show us his progress.
We scored big because they gave us Omaha steaks. Heaven! God blessed us when he gave us them. Goodness me.
Left my heart filling that mushy gushy Christmas spirit. Made a broccoli casserole and Mexican hot chocolate and headed off to Aunt Erin's for dinner. There was a delicious ham and countless other things. Red tall Christmas candles glowed while we shared the Christmas story and laughed about Jersey things.
When we got home, the kids plated Santa his cookies and we read a perfect little book about Santa's life before he was the big guy in the red suit. While we read, the kids dozed off in our bed in their Christmas jammies, and I slipped away to write this post because I never ever want to forget the feelings I felt today.
We are abundantly blessed, and golly I know now more than ever that family and friends is all we need. Everything else is just stuff. So treat the people you love like gold, and always be ready to serve. Giving isn't just for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you give all year, then those times of the year will be even more special because with each plate of cookies dropped off on your doorstep, or with each Christmas card you, will get to see the impact of the good you did that year.
Merry Christmas, ya'll. Love you!
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