What's that they say about the best laid plans? Posting here just wasn't happening on Christmas Day, despite my noblest intentions.
Things that did happen, however?
Traveling up to my parent's house on Christmas Eve; watching It's a Wonderful Life and The Muppet Christmas Carol; exchanging ornaments; eating some Chinese food (fa-ra-ra-ra-ra!); indulging in some wine; and calling it a night.
Christmas Day included: waking up early; Kyle photographing Bailey outside as the sun came up; ripping through wrapping paper to wonderful, magical gifts; watching my grandma cry over our framed wedding picture (success!); drinking coffee with a little dash of Baileys; gossiping with the ladies while my dad snoozed and my husband and brothers made use of their new movies and video games; looking through Daniel's photos from his trip to Europe on his brand new Macbook (tough life, huh?); smelling the heavenly aromas and then digging into prime rib, sour cream mashed potatoes, carrots and onions, green beans almondine... need I go on?
It was completely wonderful.
We left after dinner -- Grandma's apple pie in hand -- to travel up to Kyle's family's house. His 4-year-old niece is the only little kid I'm around for Christmas now, so it was a lot of fun to spend the night with her, getting beautified thanks to her new Disney Princess salon and seeing her snuggle with the ginormous teddy bear. The next day his mom's entire family got together -- all 19 of them -- and we had soups and sandwiches, and somehow sorted through the chaos that is a gift exchange with a huge crowd.
After several days of festivity, we are finally home again.
Gifts (and gift boxes) are everywhere. Wrapping paper is still strewn about. It is a little bit of a disaster zone in our house, but -- at least today -- I can't get motivated to clean.
The lull between Christmas and New Years is there for good reason. You need time to go to bed early and sleep in late. To enjoy your new gifts. To soak in the last of the holiday spirit. To reflect a little bit.
There are Disney movies to enjoy, a dog to snuggle with, more apple pie to eat, more azithromycin to take (yes, still sick), and sweatpants to don. It's supposed to snow later on today, and I can't wait to watch the snowflakes fall.
If you don't have a lull, make one.
I'll be back tomorrow (I promise this time!) For now, the couch is calling my name...