the day after…
One of the advantages of having older kids is that the day after Christmas, when they’re playing with their new toys, they really don’t require my attention to do so. So now that family has flown home, I’m alone with a hot cup of chai enjoying a few peaceful moments.
This was, quite simply, one of my best Christmases ever. My brother and his family flew over on Wednesday, and we had the best visit. We did just exactly nothing. Pretty much. We had one toddler, one bossy seven-year-old, one mouthy 12-year-old, and one quiet 13-year-old to entertain us old folks. We stayed up late playing games, went out to get ice cream, drove around to see Christmas lights and got yummy pizza at the fun place downtown, and Nicole and I shopped and got mani-pedis. A groovy time was had by all.
And my picky eater nephew told me on his way out that the food was good.
My parents don’t speak to any of their siblings for various reasons, the most simple being that they just don’t agree on things, and my folks aren’t willing to abide by the agree to disagree theory. John and I and Nicole and I work hard to build relationships between ourselves and between our kids because we don’t want that to happen to us. Visits like this are good for all of us. I felt badly, though, because I know my grandmother missed all of us, wished there was a way that she and my grandfather could have been here with us all.
We were joined, however, by Mike’s brother and nephew and by our adopted grandparents here in Florida. Nana and Pops joined us for Christmas Eve lunch, and we all had a super time. As we talked about it later, John talked about how easy it was, which is characteristically unlike meals with our parents. He commented on how lovely they are toward us when they have no actual ties to us. How our own family really ought to be that way.
As I look across my neat and clean dining room/front room, I think about my brother saying last night at dinner that since they arrived, my house had exploded. And at that point, it did look a bit like that. It was the best explosion we’d participated in as a family in quite some time.
Filed under Most Everything | Permalink | Comments (3)Tagged with: Christmas • Family • love
Oh, so thankful…
I’ve been very stressed lately about the big test at work, partially because I didn’t want to owe the company the $105 if I failed and partially because I didn’t want people to know I had failed. I know that’s petty, but the particular position I’m in now requires that the kids I work with believe that I know what I’m doing. And it was important to me to pass.
And I did, which was super.
But what was better was how sweet and encouraging everyone was to me. I was quite touched. I’m in a very secular environment (one of my closest friends at work is an aethist), and there’s a lot of negativity that comes from the job itself. So it was really quite lovely to have so many people being so encouraging.
It’s been an encouraging week, I suppose, in odd ways. When I did my meme earlier in the week, one of the questions was to name seven things I do now that I know Jesus really loves me. I hesitated initially, thinking ‘I’m probably not the best one to answer this now. We don’t have a church. I don’t read my Bible as often as I’d like… blah, blah, blah.’
But when I started my list, I found that it was pretty easy to come up with ways that my life is created around the believe that Jesus Loves Me and that I am a child of God. Love and kindness and consideration and tenderness. All seven of my answers came quickly and easily. And I was relieved to see that, to feel all of those aspects of life with Christ.
It reminds me that our lives - my life - is on more stable ground now than a few years ago when we were new to Florida. This life isn’t perfect, and there are still things I could like to change. But when I look at the fundamentals of what is important to me, we have those things in spades.
And I am blessed. I’m hopeful that maybe part of why people are so kind and encouraging to me at work is because I am kind and encouraging first. I want people to see something different in me so that when they ask about it, I have the opportunity to share about how Jesus does love me.
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Thankful Thursday - tired but thankful
It’s hard to believe it’s only been a week since last Thankful Thursday! It’s been one wonderful week! And I am sooo grateful and thankful for so much of it.
I’m thankful for…
- Mandy, Josh, and Olivia - none of whom are related to us by blood and all of whom are related to us by love. These are the family of our heart, of our choice. Spending days upon days with them was bliss.
- Sunny skies and pleasant weather.
- Mike, who indulges me.
- Love. Hope. This time last year, I didn’t much believe in hope any more, and I’m surprised and delighted to find that it’s back in my realm of vision.
- Deals made between friends. I didn’t much follow the spirit of the deal in my head - sorry, Josh - but I did out loud, and sometimes that’s enough.
- Books.
- Jobs. Mike’s and mine. Mike’s because it allows him to follow his passion. Mine because it allows us good health insurance.
- Compliments and positive reinforcement at work. I honestly thought they changed my job description because I was nurturing and nice. Turns out, my numbers aren’t as bad as I’d originally thought. When I got back from vacation on Tuesday, I discovered that my numbers are pretty good in the rankings. Out of 80 or 90 individuals in my division, I’m ranked #11. I was stunned. And very pleased.
- Four and a half hours of enjoyment at work. A rarity for me. But I really enjoyed my time this afternoon helping with the training class. Who knew?
- For old friends and new connections… through Facebook, I found an old college friend & we went to dinner with her and her husband last night. It was a super time.
And lastly, I’m thankful for a soft bed. In NO way did we mind our alternate sleeping arrangements in order to have dear friends here, but it was so nice to sink back into our bed this week.
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Surprise photos
The boys were both soooo surprised when they saw each other last night. It was the most fun. And it was super to have them together again. I am always surprised at how easily they slip into being together.
The boys spent forever building cars at the Lego shop at Downtown Disney.
Will’s built like his daddy… all stocky and solid. Griff looks skinnier than usual next to him. But aren’t they all cute in their little reggae Mickey hats. They spent a good 20 minutes trying on various hats. Mike commented that only at Disney would I allow kids to try on hats that countless others have tried on before. Lice? Never heard of the concept. It’s the Happiest Place on Earth! Try this one on next!
Will said, ‘I wish ya’ll hadn’t moved.’ To which Griff said, ‘me, too.’ Will asked Mike, ‘When are ya’ll moving back?’ which began their discussion about how they were planning - their 8-year-old selves at that time - to sabotage Mike’s interview with his current employer. Sweet if heartbreaking.
Tagged with: Downtown Disney • friendship • Griff • love • Will
Loving it…
I’ve been all negative girl lately. Thought I’d take a few minutes this Saturday night to mention a few things I love.
… I love ‘iCarly’ way more than I should.
… I love a clean house.
… I love a good book, for me or for Griff or Eliza. Mike can read crap for all I care.
… I love chicken ceasar salad. What I love more is that Griff tried it on his own and liked it.
… I love holiday decorations.
… I love fresh limes squeezed into my Diet Coke.
… I love that God knows me and cares for me ALL the time.
… I love friends who point out that thinking less of myself is diminishing God’s creation.
… I love surprise packages in the mail from friends.
… I love going to sleep early.
Filed under Most Everything | Permalink | Comment (1)Tagged with: Diet Coke • love
