We had a wonderful season of celebration - every year it's different now that the kids are older and going in different directions! We took the boys to Bellingham for some holiday cheer with my family (lots of fun - yummy food, go-kart racing, mini-golf, hikes along the water, movie night, cozy coffee houses, and tons of games). All of us gathered with the Corrigans the weekend after Christmas, with lots of fun too! We hosted Nana and Poppy for Christmas dinner, with something new this year - a sleepover! Had fun playing games with them together late into the evening. Marcus and I did our traditional "ding dong dash" where we drop off treats on doorsteps. I helped serve food at Marcus' youth group Christmas party, and squeezed in our annual cooking baking day with friends. We went to our neighborhood NYE party (theme: PJ's and Pork - bring a bacon themed food item to share) - my fave part of these gatherings is catching up with neighbors I don't see during the year much. There are some pretty special people in my zip code LOL - sometimes you just gotta slow down enough to see that! The holidays can be nuts, and I really do love all the fun, but have come to appreciate those slower conversations that happen at just the right time. I also am struck by how generous people are this time of year - wanting to find ways to invite people in, use their resources to bless others. It is magical. It's those little observations that help me see Emmanuel, God is with us, during our Advent readings. Also... changed up the lights on the house this year. We are about ten percent of the way to Griswald status!
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| Wise words for me too, this season |
