I finally uploaded our Christmas photos... I took photos of our Christmas here in New York, and Christmas Eve and morning at Mom's, and Christmas Day at dad's, in Ohio. I must have then placed my camera somewhere that I forgot about it for the rest of the trip because it's all I have! I am kind of sad about that, especially when our Christmas trip was so wonderful this year!
The past few years had been a little rough... 2 years ago Anna was hospitalized on Christmas Eve for a coughing fit that eventually shattered our bubble that all was well with our baby girl. The next Christmas was the end of a tumultuous year and a month after our first genetics appointment. Rett would enter our lives shortly after. This Christmas, I was so bound and determined for it to be THE Christmas, THE one that would make up for 2 years of sorrow... Despite the amazing, joyous occasion of Jesus' birthday, relatively speaking I needed a good Christmas!
We first had our Christmas here, complete with Santa's letter to Gabe and Anna, explaining he heard that they would be in Ohio on Christmas morning, and because they'd been so good, he decided to pop in early. We baked cookies, put the kids to bed and we laid out presents, like the good Elves that we are. It was beautiful.
We left on the 23rd, stayed halfway, and arrived at Memee's house around 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. It was so wonderful to be with my Mimi and Pap, Mom and Rob, and brother and sister Shaun and Kelli. The three of us - Shaun, Kelli, and myself - have so much tradition wrapped up in Christmas, and it meant a lot for all of us to sleep over. Shaun now has his own place, and I of course have Manny, Gabe and Anna! I love how tradition is evolving yet remaining very much the same.
Christmas morning was a wonderful event, with a yummy breakfast and tons of gift giving. My heart was warmed! No sicknesses, no... Anything... Except peaceful and joyous. The biggest blessing of it all was that for the first time in years we got a white Christmas!! We woke up to a fresh blanket of snow, about 4 inches deep, and the sun shining over the white front yard. It was like, Yes! This year is going to magical! And it was!
Then it was off to Dad and Sharon's, where we opened gifts with Katie and readied the house for Mimi, Aunt Char, Uncle David, Jakub and Jesse, Uncle Chuck and cousin Chuckie to have a big Christmas dinner and then play games and catch up the rest of the day. It was our first Christmas without my Pap, who passed away in May this year. I talked to him a lot throughout the day... Does that sound weird? I hope not too weird. I had an incredible sense of peace that he was with us, watching us, and enjoying the view and crazy conversation from the happier place where he rests. I couldn't dwell too long on how nice it would've been to have a big Pap Christopher hug that day, instead I thought about how happy he must be. His favorite times were when family were together.
It was a wonderful Christmas... The gifts, of course, are always nice, but to be able to share it with family that we only see twice, maybe three times a year, is unforgettable. Thanks Mom & Rob and Dad & Sharon, for always making it so special for us when I get to come back "home."
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