My Holiday

I know technically the Holiday season isn’t over yet, but just like Thanksgiving weekend, I’ll be working during all the New Year’s festivities. Can you believe a whole new decade is upon us? This last month, let alone this last year has been a whirlwind for me. So many changes in my life as well as personal losses. I had all my Christmas decorations out before Thanksgiving because of my work schedule and I always love seeing my whole house decorated. It’s a lot of work but for my family to have a place to celebrate the Holidays, it’s worth it.

Our Christmas Eve with the In-laws was canceled because all the little nieces and nephews were sick. Chad and I opted to go to the movies with our boy Chase and niece Alana. Like us, they weren’t sick and I was already dressed with makeup on, so why not have some fun. We saw Jumangi and it was hilarious. The movie provided the much needed stress relief that the Holidays can sometimes bring.

Christmas morning started with our son Chase coming over for breakfast. When our boys were younger, we had them early on Christmas and then they would go with their mom and and celebrate with her family for the rest of the day. This has become our tradition. Colton wasn’t able to make it this year but we were able to talk with him for a bit. Over the years, with my boys, our breakfast menu has changed. It started with sausage balls, which was my memory of my family’s traditional breakfast. On occasion it was sausage biscuits and gravy, or pancakes. But now my boy has gone Vegan … yep! While I can understand and respect his decision for a healthier eating habit, I’ve had a hard time coming up with recipes that I can make for him . I mean half the ingredients I’ve never heard of, let alone be able to find at my local lil country Piggly Wiggly grocery store. I did do some experimenting with a classic, pancakes, and they were alright. I will need to perfect them before next year.

Once the vegan, I mean Chase, left the real work began. I was hosting my family and was expecting about 20 for lunch and I had a whole spread of foods planned. All the traditional holiday fare. Not a bit of it was vegan or caloric restricted. LOL. I needed to rearrange the house to set up extra tables then move the dog beds and cat condos to the back rooms. As always its a lot of work. Because the weather was gonna be nice, Chad started a big bonfire in the back yard. It was a true country Christmas day. I received lots of messages via Facebook and texts throughout the day and I tried to answer them all but if I didn’t, I apologize.

We had a blast. Lots of love and laughter was seen and heard that day. After all the feasting was done and gifts were exchanged, I took a moment to sit down and relax out by the bonfire. I know the Holidays can be stressful. Some of us even dread it because of all the work it requires but when you sit back and look around at all your family and friends, it’s completely worth it. I mean…think about it this way. Without the Holiday season every year, would you really be able to take the time to see all your loved ones? I know we all want to see and be a part of their daily lives but a year goes by so quickly now and changes do happen. Personally I’m thankful to have, at least, this one time a year to be around the people I truly love and to be reminded about what life really means. Without these loved ones, what would my life be about? Because I just don’t know.