It was our first Christmas in my new house and we had lots of fun. It didn't have the tinge of sadness that the last two years had for me. I believe it is because it was the start of new traditions blended with old ones in my new home. Stockings were hung on the fireplace and the tree was in it's rightful place in the living room in front of the window just like at the old house. But there were new lights on the outside of the house, some new ornaments and the smell of ham in the oven to make things feel really good. If it wasn't for the stress that occurs every year I would have this holiday year around. I loved spending the day with my girls and their guys. I am so looking forward to having a new little baby in the house come next Christmas.
Our family has a couple of babies due this summer so we are going to be blessed with an expanding family.
So I have an extra couple of wishes to add to my list this year. That being said I wish for my girl Sarah and my niece Katy to have easy and uneventful births, for my friends and family to have a better year than last and of course, peace on earth...
I am spending the day with my children and grandson. Hope your day is as joyous as I know mine will be.
It makes me so happy to be with my family at this time of year. While we miss Steve so much at this time we keep his memory alive by keeping his traditions alive. Sarah and Nate have taken over getting the Christmas trees for me and Grandma Norma. They have really gotten into it and have picked out some really great ones. This year is no different. I will try to get a picture of it this year. It is one of those hybrid nobles and it is pretty cute.
Kids will be here at noon Christmas morning and then we will do the Fordyce Christmas the following day. This week is going to be crazy because I still have a couple of more gifts to get and another party with friends. I definitely love this time of the year even if it is crazy stressful.
My grandson turned three on Monday. It is unbelievable how time has flown by. I miss his grandpa so much and wish that he were here to experience how awesome Cash is. We celebrated his birthday on Sunday. He was only mildly interested in his guests, presents and cake. Operating on no nap, all he did was be super hyper and not sit too long or he risked falling asleep.
His momma made him a dirt cake which he really didn't want to eat but the gummy worms on it got his attention. Those he picked off the remainder of the cake after everyone was served and ate those. I think the cake was mostly for his daddy and mommy who love it.
His presents held little or no interest for him until his dad started to open them. The best gifts appeared to be from his Aunt Lisa and Uncle Buck which were a large artists tablet with washable markers and brushes. He also received books and various matchbox like cars and a couple of movies. He was happy with all his gifts just more interested in drawing than anything else.
My trip to California was a quick one. It was fun yet bittersweet. My mom has been diagnosed with dementia. She is in the early stages. It is hard to see her with memory issues when she was the person who remembered everything even stuff we didn't want her to remember.
The girls and Cash came along for the visit too. Cash was uncertain at first because it was his first long distance drive and first time being away from his daddy. Sarah had to call Nate a couple of times so that Cash could hear his daddy's voice and get a little reassurance that his dad was still around.
Sarah took him to the neighborhood park which has an amazing playground. He didn't want to come back to my parents house after going there so he had a couple of meltdowns. By the time we were ready to come home he was enjoying his visits with his extended family and we didn't want to go either.
It was good to see my siblings and nephews. It was so hard to believe it had been two years since I saw most of them. My nephews have grown so much it was hard to believe it. When I hugged my family good bye I didn't want to let them go, especially my parents.
The drive home was long and uneventful thank goodness. We chose not to stop so Lisa drove the first half of the trip and I drove the rest of the way home. We made good time considering we stopped for lunch, dinner and some potty breaks. Having left my parents home at 10:30AM, I was dropping Sarah and Cash off at their house at 9:15PM. Once I dropped Lisa off got home and unpacked my car it was about 10:30.
Sleep didn't come quickly but when I did finally fall asleep I didn't wake till after ten the next morning. It took me most of the day to get motivated to unpack and do laundry. Wow, I know I can't do short trips (especially driving) anymore as my body just doesn't recover from it as quickly as it once did. Next time I am flying...
Today he would have been 52. A young handsome grandpa if you ask me.
