Christmas with the Family

     My wish is that everyone had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends! Our family opted to have a stress-free Christmas Lunch at a local Hotel Restaurant this year. This was in lieu of our traditional, push-up-your-sleeves, rush-around-getting-everything-ready, and hope-you-get-a-chance-to-say-something-to-everyone, before they leave your house, Christmas Day get together. We made reservations in hopes that everyone would be able to make it but, my Dad had decided to help at a local soup kitchen instead of being in close proximity to my Mother AND the whole reason she was joining us from out of state was because she was convinced my brother could make it...he found out Thursday, after Mom had picked up her rental car, that he wasn't going to be able to be here! It was becoming even more frustrating than I thought it already was but, the key word is "survival"!!

      My Mom, my sister, her family, my daughter, her new family and my oldest son joined us for a really nice Christmas Buffet spread. We exchanged hugs, cards and gifts for the children, the grandchildren, the nieces and nephews before separating but, not until our Mom had taken pictures of our respective families! My sister actually told her, with a very straight face, that's why her family had taken a professional family picture!! lol I had to keep from laughing out loud when she said it! I had a nice visit with our Mom after she unpacked at her motel not far from my house. This made it possible for us not to be interrupted by the boys at our very cramped house while we caught up. This was the first Christmas in ten years that Mom had joined us.
     Today was special for me because I was able to spend some time with my brother and help him get moved into his new apartment closer to me. It was a surprise when he called me yesterday afternoon and asked for me to help him this morning. I had other plans which I quickly shifted in excitement, looking forward to seeing him for the first time in almost a year and a half. I had forgotten how much taller my younger brother is than I am...I shadow him by almost 6 inches! We had lunch, hung out some more and then I eventually drove myself back home. He called me just a little while ago to give me his new phone number and thanked me for helping him today. Awe!!
     Now, all I need is to see if I can get my Dad to join us for a movie and dinner one night after the New Year, when everything returns to as normal as possible. He recently started a new job and that might be challenging. Otherwise, it has been a great Christmas week!!!
     I hope that everyone has a safe and Happy New Year in 2012! Thanks for taking time to read my blog...I hope you check out the resources, the Guest Bloggers and hang in there for the next giveaway!!

Lorrie