Best.Christmas.Ever.

I believe we just had the best.Christmas.ever.

It was quiet, there wasn't a lot of "excess"...It was just me, Chris, and the kids...and his brother, who spent the night as he was passing through GA on his way to AL to see his kids.  It was low key and PERFECT.

I kept feeling this twinge of guilt that I wasn't able to give the kids this HUGE Christmas with some awesome, major toys or big surprise from Santa, but you know what?  My kids loved their gifts.  Andrew truly felt the wonder of Christmas this year and it was so much fun to watch.  Hannah was so cute, enjoying her My Little Ponies and baby dolls...she didn't care that most of her gifts came from a yard sale or thrift store.  Andrew didn't care that his 20+ Star Wars action figures came from ebay.  They loved their gifts and played hard with them all.day.long.

We had scrambled eggs, bacon and cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  We talked about Jesus' birth while the kids played with the Little People nativity set Hannah had gotten from Mamaw & Papaw, and then we all watched Toy Story 3 together.  (Hannah then watched it no less than three more times.) We all had a fantastic nap and then woke up to news of snow on the way!  Its been over 100 years since there's been snow in Atlanta on Christmas, and by bedtime it was here.  What a magical day.

Hannah-bear's reaction to her gifts this morning:

And Andrew's reaction:

Oh, of course we missed being with our parents, siblings, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc...but sometimes less really is more.  Its special.  That's the kind of Christmas we had around here.  If anyone out there is reading this, I sure hope your Christmas was just as wonderful as ours.  As Tiny Tim said, "God bless us, every one!"

Christmas Crazy

So I'm on Christmas break now and things have already been just NUTS.  Saturday started off innocently enough...Chris and Andrew went to go see Tron with a bunch of guys from church and their sons.  I took Hannah on a mommy-date to Kohl's to finish up the Christmas shopping, then we went to lunch together.  I know she's only two and a half, but I really enjoy her company!  She loves the one-on-one time, and I don't blame her.  She came into this world competing with Andrew for our attention, so of course she loves getting us all to herself!  Anyway...so the morning went just wonderfully.  We had such a good time, and so did the guys.  When Chris got home, however, I was in the middle of trying to go through a bunch of receipts and bills that had been paid, but were just sitting waiting to be filed away.  I was almost done when the front of the file cabinet drawer came loose and a bunch of important papers started falling out.  I was trying to keep it all together and finish up what I was doing, the kids were running around alternately playing and fighting (as usual), and Chris was trying to eat some lunch while telling me it was time for the kids' nap.

I.lost.it.

I said words I haven't said in a long time.  Sure, I've thought them quite frequently, but I was doing well by resisting the urge to say them out loud.  I yelled, I cried, I spazzed out...I had reached my limit.  I was DONE.  Of course, Chris had to ask if I was taking my medication.  Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.

I spent the rest of the day in a bad mood.  I ended up staying home from church yesterday just to get some QUIET.  I desperately needed to be alone. I needed to spend time with God.  Funny how my life falls apart when I abandon my daily quiet time...also funny how I had to stay home from church in order to get the quiet time I needed.  Chris took the kids to church and I stayed home and talked to God.  I got myself sorted out and feel much better now.  I just needed a mommy-size time out.

Today Andrew is having a playdate with his BFF, Avery, and they are so funny to watch.  They fight over the toys one second, then share freely the next.  I am trying not to interfere, to just let them work it out on their own...For four years old, I think they are doing pretty well.


Tomorrow we leave for Alabama to visit Chris' family.  I'm planning on taking extra happy pills with me.