Four Days Until Christmas, or Three if you Don't Count Christmas Eve

Because I cannot think of a worse way to spend Christmas Eve than shopping and racing around to do the last minute things, I don't count Christmas Eve.  And this year, I mean it!!! No, really!  We have sent the cookies and wrapped the gifts and written the cards (John did, actually.)  They weren't the cool cards we designed with a wonderful quote and amazing photograph and all that stuff that last Christmas I said we were going to do this Christmas, but the nice cards from the local store have been mailed!

And Today is Tuesday.  This afternoon I am baking some cookies and making haddock enchiladas for dinner.  Then going to a cookie swap.  Naturally I will be taking the molasses ginger cookies.  Tomorrow we will straighten the house and set the dining room table and make the cranberry orange relish.  Thursday John and I are driving into Bangor to pick up Dylan and take him to the store with us so that his mommy can have some time to herself. Friday maybe sing some carols, go to the neighbors for a little Christmas cheer, and then Saturday is Christmas.

I am grateful that my son Charles, his beautiful wife Pamela and their 4-month-old son, Asher are here with us.  And the Bangor family is coming down on Christmas Day.

In this time of spread-out families and kids in lots of states, we are just thankful that we can put two kids and their families under our tree this year.  We will be missing Deron and family in Colorado; Kim and family in Wisconsin; and Brian and family, in Connecticut.  But grateful for all of them, nonetheless.


We don't know what this next year will bring.  We have this time right now.  And right now, I am especially grateful for my dearest husband, John, the love of my life.  And for the wonderful family we have put together, both here and away.