Christmas Eve

I am as giddy as a little kid. I didn't get to go to Christmas Eve at my in-law's last year because I was sick. Most of Tom's family I only see at this get together so I really missed out on quite a bit. We had a new baby born that I didn't even know about until the gift exchange list came out and I had the new baby's name to buy for. My nephew moved back home with Mom to get a leg up on finances, and a neice moved back here from Kansas City. I wasn't clear that she was even in Kansas City to begin with. Wow. I am an awful relative. I don't keep up with Tom's family the way I should. I do check out my neice and nephew's myspace so I sort of know what is going on with them, as for the rest, I am totaly ignorant of their lives. I don't feel as guilty as you might think. My Tom didn't really keep up with his family either. When he did, he didn't relay any information on to me, so I was ignorant when he was alive also.
To be sure, I enjoy all of them. I have been blessed with wonderful in-laws and wouldn't want anyone to think otherwise. Many of the young girls are so interesting and fun to talk to. When I am driving home I always think "Wow, why don't I talk to them more" because I have so much fun conversing with them all. So the blame lies withen me, I admit it. I don't call and don't visit with them like I should.
The point to all this is, in a very few hours we will be heading out the door to make the drive to Hutch to see them all, and I do mean all. My Mother-in-law doesn't ask for anyone to visit her except on Christmas Eve. To miss that is the quickest way to be excomunicated from the family. I have only missed twice, once because I was recovering from a major surgery and last year, I was puking up my guts. I do anticipate the visit, however I hate the drive. Ever since Tom died I have a hard time making the drive. I usualy cry all the way there and all the way back. The first year was the worst. I missed his presence so much it made me ill. Even though I an engaged to the most wonderful guy in the world that loves me beyond measure, I miss Tom. I am sure that will never go away, it has gotten easier, but won't leave me. Until you loose your spouse you won't understand. It is not like divorce where you severe the relationship, then move on. The relationship was not broken, or discarded, it was taken away entirely. Even though you move on, a part of you stays anchored in the past, unable to move away. Your love for the person doesn't leave you.
On a happier note, I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas. I wish you lots of fa la la la la's and much mistletoeing. I hope you swoon from the scent of fudge and peppermint. I hope you eat so much chex mix your lips feel shriveled up from all the salt in it. I hope that one crazy relative gets on your last nerve and it is enough to last you until next year. I hope your livingroom floor is a mess Christmas morning and your trash can is overflowing until the trash men show up and save you. I hope you remember to read Luke second chapter and revel in the awsomness of Christ's love for us. Merry Christmas loved ones, AW

Ahh, the smells of Christmas.

One thing is for sure, I don't need any stupid candle that smells like baked cookies to make my house smell good. I have started making Christmas treats. So far I have made Chex Party Mix, Oyster Crackers with dry Hidden Valley and dill spice, and 18 pounds of fudge. I still have the Puppy Chow and Chocolate Covered Pretzels yet to go.
The kids decided to get into the mix yesterday and dug out my 1001 Cookie Reciepe cook book. Kaitlin and T.J. decided to make gingerbread and butter balls. While we were at Wal-Mart getting the gifts for the Keazer gift exchange we picked up the items we needed to bake those cookies. They got the butter balls done, sort of. I didn't help them a bit. This was their first solo project baking. You know, they can't do anything without fighting. The butter balls are a little on the dry side and some don't really resemble balls, but they are so proud of their efforts. They took some next door to Anthony and Alyssa. Alyssa said "They taste like biscuts with powderd sugar". I explained the difference between baking and cooking. Not all cooks bake and not all bakers cook. I also told them they will never get good at it if they never try it. So, today they will tackle the gingerbread. We aren't making men, just cookies. I didn't have the cash for all the decorations and I don't own a cookie cutter. I made this executive decision after doing quick math in my head and realizing I am broke from Christmas shopping. I can't wait to see the kitchen after this adventure. However, I impressed upon them the need to clean the kitchen as though they had never entered it in the first place, and they did.
As for me, today, I will finish my treats up and start the labor of wrapping presents. This year T.J and I decided to do the "themed tree" and went with all silver and white for decorations. It looks great. I decided to do the same with the wrapping paper, silver and blue, even the shirt boxes. I think some of Auntie Karen has rubbed off on me. Anyone who has ever seen her packages knows what I am talking about. You would almost rather NOT open them so you don't spoil the wrap job. She makes them look so beutiful. Mine won't look that good I am sure but I will at least make an effort, and they will all match under the tree, this year. I may grow tired of matching things and go back ecclectic which is my true nature I think.

Vacation!

I am so happy, I am on vacation until the 29th! I hope you like the new pics. I was on my way to Derby going the back way and had to stop and pull over several times. It is begining to look a lot like christmas I think. Nox spent the night last night and I got som cute pics of him.

Getting over Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving was great! We went to Medicine and had a grand feast. Mike's dad can really cook. He put on a huge spread all by himself. He is such a good cook. He made everything that you would want at a Thanksgiving feast. T.J. had been sick days prior to the holiday so we were worried we may not make it. Then Mike came down with a terrible cold. He took cold medicine and away we went. He is still feeling bad today. I didn't get very many pics, I did however, take several videos, one of which I posted on myspace. I don't know how to do it on the blogspot or I would. The blogspot is harder to use then myspace and doesn't have as many cool features. Anyway, we had a wonderful holiday. I hope you all did also. I am looking forward to Christmas. I got the house ready tonight so we can put the tree up tomorrow. I will try to get some pics and not just videos!