We have had a whirlwind of a Christmas Holiday! Or holiday started off with a bang on Saturday afternoon when we received a call from Harvey’s parents informing us that they had made a last minute decision to go to Colombia for the holidays. That came as a shock to all of us considering they had been talking for over a month about going to Texas to visit Harvey’s brother John. We scrambled around trying to quickly gather our gifts for them and spend the next little while celebrating Noche Buena. We were in such a rush that we didn’t even take our camera. How did that happen?
We then spend the next two days finishing up our Christmas shopping. We really need to get on the ball a little bit earlier this next year. It is amazing how many things pop up at the last minute. We assembled our neighbor gifts and thought that we were done…haha
My brother flew into town early on Christmas Eve. We were so excited that he made it considering all of the weather that has now hit the Salt Lake Valley. We spent Christmas Eve at my parents house. They did things a bit different this year. Instead of a Christmas tree, they had a Christmas Air Hockey Table. How is that for unique!
We usually just open our PJ’s there but, this year, we opened up all of our family gifts. That was unusual but we had fun. My kiddos were absolutely spoiled by everyone there. Kelton got a huge floor pillow that he laid on all night. Kaeson’s highlight was a magna doodle and Batman gloves. Kyra, loved everything. My parents went way above and beyond. They got us an outdoor fireplace, gift certificates for several places, books, etc. It was quite exciting.
As I looked around the room at my parent’s home, I thought of how many times my parents have made Christmas amazing for us. They never seemed stress. Christmas was always very magical and full of wonder. It never once occurred to me that money was tight and the sacrifices that they made for us to have fantastic memories.
At the time, I had no idea how it must have been to provide Christmas for 8 (sometimes 9) children. This Christmas was tight for us and we only have 3 kiddos. I can not even imagine how it must have been for them.
I sat and looked around at my siblings an I was so grateful that my parents decided to give me siblings. There are a lot of us and some of us don’t see eye to eye but, I am grateful for all of the experiences that I have had. I think that it has made me a better parent and a better person. I am grateful this Christmas for my parents and for the sacrifices that they made so that I could become the person that I am.
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