Reality blog / Christmas Eve already?

I always try to pull out the one or two positive things I can find in our busy days to share with others. This month has been tough though. We all get a little depressed and this year was no exception. Mom had 2 eye surgeries a week apart. My sister Lori came to the rescue. She said her goal this year is to be more positive and praise God for our healings. She was the one who needed to be with mom this time. I would not have been able to split myself in two or be that encouraging.

We had a bad experience with head lice that lasted for weeks (which I did not want to share with mom or anyone.) It has humbled me. Also put hours of hair washing and combing as a top priority. Our hair has never looked so shiny and smooth! I did a ton on laundry and the stuffed animals are just now allowed to come out of quarantine. It has been exhausting. Somehow I still managed to get the basics done in time for the holidays.

The majority of my family had Friday off so Lori, Jamie and I went to Richmond to celebrate with the cousins and Aunt Marti. We had the grand unveiling. Marti and Michelle had decided to get Sha a very large jewelry box of her own (just like Aunt Marti's). Marti also found a small one for Jamie (need to get organized next). Lori bought us all lovely colorful spinning things from the state fair. I took tons of pictures to update my blog and then left my camera in Richmond today. My sister called me as soon as I got home to make sure we have a camera for Christmas. Yes - we have more than one now! Thank goodness or I would be running to the store. Can't live without it! Will take more pictures tomorrow of the gifts we have here from the family to put on the blog later this week. I was disappointed not to have the cool pictures I took this weekend but it will have to wait until January when Lori comes back to visit.

I ended up staying all weekend in Richmond. Not much sleep but lots of interesting memories and surprises. We finally took Lori to Maymont to see the Swan bedroom decorated for Christmas. Last night after dinner (around 7:30 pm when we usually get ready for bed back home), Lori shared with me that Marti wants a black and white tree that she saw at Target but we cannot buy it - they donate it to charity. But we can use the idea! So we went to 5 stores gathering decorations and lights and finally a tree! We were up very late and finally got it done by 12:30 when she walked in the door from work! She was very surprised. Will post a picture later!

We went to church with my sisters this morning and it was very uplifting. Marti let Jamie borrow her tambourine for the singing and dancing times. It was a shock for this conservative Baptist to see the Bible wave going on just like at a football game but Jamie loved it! She didn't have to be quiet and sit still the whole time. My sisters said today was mild because of the holidays! We enjoyed seeing the children dance and wave the colorful flags and banners. We are still praying for my nieces' salvation!

We made it back in time to attend our church's candlelight communion service and I'm glad. I usually try to take Jamie to it each year. Her first Christmas we were in Texas and went to midnight mass with James' family. Jamie read his family "The Gingerbread Baby" on speaker phone tonight. When Aunt Christine visited us this summer, Jamie asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she had replied a story read by Jamie. It turned out everyone was there and they sang to us when Jamie was finished reading. We have tried to light the Advent wreath every Sunday; last year I lit it every night and we read Scriptures and did fun preparations.

James made cannelloni (his mother's recipe) for Christmas Eve dinner. He finally realized he better do some shopping or no food for Christmas. Well gotta go get ready for Christmas! Is is Christmas Eve already?