I'm now home for the holiday, and thrilled to see my parents. My brothers won't be able to get here until after I leave, but my sister and her offspring will be here tomorrow. While I'm in Coos Bay, I have a list of three things that Must Be Done:
1) Visit Shore Acres Botanical Garden and view the Christmas Light display
2) Take the family to "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."
3) Sit in front of the fire with family.

Yesterday I had a wonderful evening with butterfly and her family. We saw Narnia and then went out for dinner before they came to my church for the midnight mass. I quite enjoyed their company. Finding a restaurant that was open was quite an adventure, but we finally had a lovely meal at Applebee's.

This morning, I picked up my boys after KOP and Princess came back from church (having skipped the morning mass myself in favor of wrapping the last of the presents and cleaning the house before I left) and headed south. No traffic to speak of, and we made decent time. Dinner was ready when we arrived - turkey and sweet potatoes, which are quite the yum. I've totally gone overbudget on my carbs the last few days, and I missed a couple work-outs at the gym due to extreme soreness (and lack of time).

Blessing I'm counting: I'm finally learning what it's like to have true friends.

Something that struck me today: What makes this day unlike any other day? ( Read more... )