HAPPY WINTER!!!

Merry, Merry! I'm so excited! By my way of counting, Christmas begins today! We don't count today because it's here. We don't count Christmas Day because it's Christmas day. We don't count Christmas Eve because that's part of Christmas. We can't count tomorrow because it's tomorrow. That leaves on Sunday and Sunday can't count because I don't want to count it! Therefore and in behalf, Christmas is officially here in just a few hours...the moment my babes walk in from school!!! HAPPINESS! Liza and Buddy will be here tomorrow. The Corbridge Family Party is tomorrow, with Doug and I hosting this year. Once it's over, the only thing on my agenda for the until New Years Eve is enjoy my family!

Last night, the babes' birth grandparents came over and brought gifts for the kids. They are always so kind and generous. Toni is the queen of giftwrapping, so everything was beautiful. The kids were very excited to have a little early Christmas. Quayd was very excited about having his own snowshoes. Doug and Dave tried to figure out the ski poles and while Doug went to get a tool, Quayd opened them and had them extended. If it has parts, Quayd can figure out how and why it works.

Grace received a new pair of Uggs-type boots, a very blingy red manicure kit and toe socks too. Very cute. She was more than happy. And this morning, as she went off to school, she looked like a pink and lime green Christmas present...Toni's giftwrap made it's way to her hair. Too cute.  (Isn't Toni a beautiful lady!?)

 

We had to laugh at ZJ. She received new luggage, toe socks and a little makeup kit. OH MY. She was out of control excited about the nail polishes and make-ups. Score for Grandma Toni!  After Dave and Toni left, it was all I could do to not burst out laughing AND to not jump up and down celebrating. ZJ has always been our little tomboy. She goes wherever her dad goes...if he's working in the yard, she's helping. If he's on a bike ride, she's with Quayd and him. She would rather go to scout camp with Quayd than girls camp with Grace because at Scout Camp, they get to do cool stuff like hike, at Girls Camp, they just camp. (She's got a big surprise coming when she goes next summer for her first time!) Anywaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.... as we were cleaning up all of the giftwrap last night, she couldn't stop playing with her new make-up and nail accessories, here's our very funny conversation:

ZJ: Wow, I can't believe it. I never thought this would happen.
Me: What?
ZJ: I'm getting girlie, like Gracie.
Me: That's awesome, Zeej!
ZJ: Actually, Mom, it's kinda creepy. 

Too fun!  A great beginning to our holiday.  However, the highlight of my evening was when Kelly dropped by.  Doug had picked Zaylee up to spend the afternoon with us while Kelly was at work.  She didn't know it.  Kelly just dropped by.  She walked in the door and asked, "Have you had dinner yet?"  We hadn't.  I'd just gotten in from meeting Carol and Taylor for a bit.  She handed me some cash and said, "Dinner's on me!"  When I pointed to Zaylee and ZJ on the sofa in front of the tree playing Angry Birds, she was surprised to see her.  We visited for half an hour, planned with Liza on the phone for a sec and just had a nice visit together.  At one point, I came to the gallery to check something on Amazon.  Kelly followed me, stopped me in the hall and gave me a big hug. No words were spoken.  I love this moment. Merry Christmas to me!  

And there was this other very special moment.  I'd met Carol and Taylor for chips and salsa at Chili's.  When I came home, Doug called and told me that I couldn't come into the kitchen because he was wrapping my gift.  WHAT gift?  We had agreed only to fill each other's stockings this year since all I'd wanted was the new Christmas tree and an iPad (which is still on the want list but getting closer!).  I was surprised at the thought of the gift, which he explained didn't fit in my stocking, but even more surprised when he brought it in to put under the tree.  Of all the thirty six years we've been married, he has never gone to such effort to wrap a gift.  Usually, he has one of the girls do it.  Here's what he brought in.  He made the bow out of wire with his pliers.  SHOCKER!  And isn't that awesome.  I love this man.  I told him that I love the gift wrap more than whatever is inside the box!

Life is good on this very cold seven degree morning.  The weatherman just "GUARANTEED" a White Christmas, Liza will be here in 28 hours.  Doug and the kids are home til January.  I'm ready for the holidays.  Life doesn't get any better!

What a wonderful thought it is that
some of the best days of our life haven't happened yet!

Comments

[Marilyn]

I love ZJ's "it's kind of creepy." Made me snort outloud.

[susan]

Life doesn't get much better
I choose the right down to the letter
We are all in this together
OH...Life doesn't get much better!

Just singin'

[Gayle]

love this extra love your kids get....also Prayers are answered with Kelly!