merry, merry

Happy Christmas Eve!

I'm thrilled to report that I think this is the earliest I've ever been done with everything for my immediate family. Yes, the Christmas cards are still sitting on my nightstand and yes there are several boxes for family and friends out of state sitting packed and *almost* ready to go (sorry!!) but, I don't have anything else to wrap for anyone I'll be seeing in the next 36 hours and we don't have any last minute toys to put together. And everything handmade is done- assuming I don't have some crazy urge at midnight tonight!

I believe this is 2 points for Santa.

We've had a good and very busy week. Guthrie's got a nasty cold I'm hoping miraculously disappears by this afternoon - which she says that it will because "Guthrie no sick on Christmas, Santa comes, I feel good." She is pretty excited about Santa this year; humorous given that a month ago she had no idea what he did or how it might impact her life! I did tell her yesterday that Santa can only come to clean houses. Within an hour our living room was spotless! Totally going to milk that for all it's worth!

Our holidays are also tinged with some sadness as John's beloved Mamaw is passing away. And while not unexpected in general, very unexpected at Christmas. This will be a particularly hard season for their family this year as she's kind of the glue. I'm sure you know what I mean - every family has someone who is the glue that holds the family together for most of their lives. From an outsider's perspective there's something so beautiful about watching three brothers who probably don't agree on much agree that Mamaw 'is a good woman'. Their love is so just blatant. It's a privilege to witness.

We hope this holiday finds you warm, happy and well. Merry Merry Christmas!
- darah, john & gus