It's Christmas Time

The sun is shining brightly here in Tennessee. The temps will be mild today. Not exactly Christmas time weather, but today the festivities begin nonetheless. The house goes through a major cleaning (well, maybe minor, at least there will be a general straightening of things.) The tree goes up, decorations brought out, star on top of the tree - not sure who's turn it is is this year, but it's safe to say I'm the only member of the family who still needs a chair to reach the top :). Christmas music is playing in the background, pumpkin bread may or may not go into the oven, but at least the candles will lend a holiday scent to the atmosphere.

Even though my girls are grown, our household still loves the wonder and magic of Christmas. No toys have been under the tree in years. (Video games don't count, do they?) Everyone will sleep a little later on Christmas morning than say, 10 years ago. Our faith is our family foundation and holidays always help us to refocus and bring balance back to our hectic lives.

Please don't think I've by-passed Thanksgiving though. Our holiday season really begins the weekend before Thanksgiving and we celebrate life, love, family, and our faith throughout the year. The holidays just help us focus a little more on home and hearth. (We could probably back the time frame up to Halloween to be honest.) Thanksgiving morning I will be up early to put the turkey in the oven and enjoy a cup of coffee and quiet time before everyone else gathers for the parades. Then it's off to my in-laws home for a larger family gathering. I tend to miss my parents more than ever at the holidays. I can't believe they both have been gone for 10+ years now.

Still trying to talk my brother in to going home to the D for skating at Campus Martius Park.