Joyful Christmas Eve 2020

Blake came down upon Taylor's request, she has been ready to open presents since she woke this morning..lol! I'm so happy that she is down here with me, still excited for this fun stuff! We gathered in the living room, while Dad read Luke 2:1-14, telling of the good news of Jesus' birth, the reason for the season! Then we said a prayer over our blessings we were about to receive and asked God to help us bless others with our gifts. 

We all naturally just started by giving Milo & Millie their presents first. Millie was so excited to rip into hers, revealing her very own sqeaky slipper that was stuffed with a filled hoof! Now, maybe she won't need to steal Bubby's! lol! She loved both items and went running around wildly. Meanwhile, Milo was lounging lazily on the couch and gently nuzzled his gift while Bubby held it up to him. He is so lazy that he started to lick the filled hoof inside without bothering to unwrap it. lol..Blake said no no no, and made him get up and actually open it..lol. Millie ran crazy with her bone while Milo quietly chewed on is all evening, silly doggos!

Next, we opened a special gift that came from Wichita...Andrew and Allison sent the kids each a Target gift card, which they are both super excited about! Then, there was the cutest cloth gift bag inside, that happened to match both kids' pajamas..lol. Inside, was a hand-tied Chiefs fleece blanket! Such a sweet and cuddly warm gift! They got Dad some awesome Black Rifle Coffee, that supports Veterans and I got this lovely book of prayer that is so pretty I would like to set it up as decor! They are so thoughtful!

Blake opened a pro pc tech tool kit, to further his career and help him with his project tomorrow. He also got a floating shelf for his room and a poop knife (don't even ask..lol) from his friend Noah. He got a pair of shoes and some clothes and some sprite soda...which confused him a bit. Taylor gave him a yellow Adidas hat he had been wanting and then when he opened his final gift, he realized why he got soda earlier...he got his own mini fridge for his bedroom..lol. He has been asking for one for years and I always laughed it off because no kid needs a fridge in his room, he doesn't come downstairs enough as it is...none of that has changed but he did get it..he's a good kid and I'll just have to lure him down for something other than thirst..lol. 

Tay got the mini mic that she has been wanting and a mini wacky waving tube guy for her desk..lol. She got a genuine feather pen with ink to practice calligraphy, a motion face washing brush & cleansers (she's a sucker for that kind of self care stuff!), some tall black boots,and some stuff to decorate her room! Blake got her an adorable yellow "Bee Kind" sweatshirt that she loves! 

Dad got some wireless earbuds, some rum that I couldn't pass up because it was called "The Kraken", a couple history books- 1776 & Miracle in Philadelphia, and some Jefferson small batch bourbon- which went along with the history theme. We also got him a patriotic grunt style tee that has the flag and the word "relentless" on it...it was soooo fitting for him and will look great during his podcast..lol!

I got a beautiful One Year Chronological Bible...the entire story in order and waiting to be read...I can't wait! Billy got me a super nice document/photo scanner too, that will help with organization and sharing family photos! I also got the shower foot scrubbie thing i wanted and the ornament book of Jesus' names...love all my gifts so much! 

I gotta say, this year I really felt this incredible joy while we were all opening our gifts. I wasn't trying to stay organized or keep track of which gift was opened first or by who, no trying to clean up as we go...just pure fun of gift giving, making trips into the kitchen for snacks, refills of home made coquito with drunken raisins & time together. Taylor got out her wacky waving tube man and batteried him all up to see him dance. He blew straight up, stayed, then collapsed, to never get back up again. I was bummed that he was a disappointment and immediately jumped on amazon reviews to prove to her that others said he was awesome...trying to justify buying such a silly gift. The very first review said, "tube man has become a friend for life...someone you can really count on cheering you up when feeling down", Tay looks at him laying lifeless on the table and says, "seems to me, I'm the one having to lift HIM up" I cracked up til I cried! He is being sent back but it was all worth those laughs.  

Christmas Eve Day Preppings

I started the day with excitement, happy to wake up early, have some coffee and get last minute details completed. I am beginning to realize that the idea of being completely caught up and able to relax seems more like a carrot forever dangling just out of reach. It may not be a goal I need to set for myself, but rather looked at like a blessing of things I "get" to do. What a blessing that I woke up able to complete my to-do list, have plentiful food to prep, and home to clean and amazing family to do it all for! Cheers to all the parents out there, doing last minute stuff, running around like chickens with our heads cut off, beating ourselves up for forgetting a tiny detail...we got this! Time to chill and enjoy these moments!

I baked the last two days but waking to a clean kitchen & after harnessing some energy from the espresso, made me try a couple more recipes. I thoroughly enjoyed playing Christmas music, baking and meal prepping.

Billy had a couple errands and took Tay along, she is pretty much always up for going along...I love that about her! While they were out and Blake was still sleeping, I went ahead and downloaded photos from my too-full phone to my pc and backed them up on an external drive for safe keeping. It always feels good to get this done, as pictures are my most precious earthly possession! Baking and backing up photos at the same time and I didn't burn a thing! Wooo hoo!!

Blake came down several times, to see if I needed help with anything, he is so sweet. He made some trips downstairs with stuff and then he even helped wrap the doggy gifts. He made sure to tuck a stuffed hoof bone into each gift so the dogs would know to rip into them..lol!

When they got back, Tay and I got to deliver a gift to one of our favorite families. Milo & Millie got to go for a ride while Taylor played Santa and sneak the gift onto their porch! My friend loved her gift, which was an ornament book of Jesus' many names. I knew, the moment I saw the book that I wanted to give them one and I actually bought me one too..lol. I love it! 

Billy made candied bacon and I made pinwheels and cream cheese pickles, along with a meat/cheese tray..that was all, simple this year and ready for Christmas Eve fun!