Christmas is a joyous time bringing hope, love, and light to the world by celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus. Each year it seems like the first time anticipating the wonder and mystery of it all.
We start to decorate the house on December 1st, when our sights and energy run high. We hang lights along the eaves and put up a gigantic, green, sparkling light-up wreath over the second story window. The porch is my favorite, where Santa guards the front door and the railing is draped in garland with apples. The posts are wrapped with red ribbon to signify candy canes. There are a few more wreaths with colored lights, and my Christmas pillows adorn the love seat and rockers. This year we finally put my big light-up cow and rooster in the yard, along with a few white lit spiral trees.
Next, the inside gets festive. Red ribbons and big bows wrap the cupboards in the kitchen while sparkling lights turn on above. The mantel hosts more lights with snowmen and photos from the past (and present) of our fur babies on their first Christmas with us. Colorful tapestries hand from the doors and a multitude of nativities are throughout the house. Children’s Christmas books are also a big must as I decorate the rooms. The stair railing is entwined with pine greens and the “elves on a shelf” are nestled in the boughs. A fire in the fireplace, Christmas carols playing softly in the background, writing out cards to friends and family far away, and baking cranberry orange loaves; these are the peaceful times and traditions I enjoy.
The season can also be a little stressful, as we all know. Searching for the perfect gifts, anxiously waiting for the delivery trucks, only to have the “perfect gift” not be the one you ordered. Phones calls. Will the replacements be here in time for Christmas? Meal planning. Trips to the grocery store. Oh, crap! I forgot the ____. Back to the grocery store. Tuco’s first picture with Santa. What should he wear? Will he be a good boy in the store? Will he like Santa? How will he react around all the other dogs? Then there is finding a gift for the husband who has everything. He says he wants nothing, how tempting. I know what he needs and attempt to look in Walmart, Kohl’s, Tractor Supply, Sportsman’s Warehouse…..not finding what I am looking for. I’m ready to give up and honor his wishes of “nothing.” It’s two days before Christmas. Aha! A light bulb moment. Why didn’t I think of this before? CAL Ranch, of course! It was there all along.
Tuco and I wrap the presents. He’s such a good boy. And it’s a good thing he doesn’t know we’re wrapping Dad’s and his. This is his first Christmas and I want him to be surprised when he sees presents in his kennel. When we’re done, we go watch Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, The Star, and The Grinch. He just loves watching animation.
It’s the 23rd, the Friday before Christmas. There’s a knock on the door. It’s our neighbors from down the street. We invite them in for a gift exchange and a holiday drink. We do this every year with all our neighbors. Then another knock. This time from an old friend we haven’t seen in a while, just moving back to Utah. What a nice surprise! Another knock, more neighbors. What a wonderful time.
Christmas Eve we go to mass. It’s the children’s Christmas play and it’s always heartwarming. Husband says we have to stop on the way home for coffee creamer. (could have told me this yesterday.) So, we go to Walmart, which of course, is closed. Where to next? Ah, Maverik, they are always open. We get the French Vanilla Coffee Mate, along with some other delightful things. Coors, Cheetos Cheese Puffs, and Lays potato chips. Just what a healthy snack on Christmas eve should be.
We try to sleep in on Christmas morning. Our little angel always sleeps late. But, we hear rustling and snorting downstairs. So, down we go to see what’s going on. It’s Tuco! He’s awake and found his presents in his kennel. He’s so cute! He can’t wait to get in there and tear them apart.
Present after present is opened. He’s spoiled, our little one. And why not, he’s our son. Soon he tires and falls asleep. Now it’s our turn. We exchange our gifts to each other and relax with a cup of coffee. We both make our phone calls to family in distant places and wait for the turkey dinner that will feed us this afternoon. We are content. We are blessed. We are grateful. We are happy.
As the month comes to an end, I tell myself I’m not doing certain things again next year, just like I said last year and the year before. Like making the festive loaves; they are time consuming and costly, especially this year. Or, I’m not sending out Christmas cards; the stamps are getting too expensive. Or, I’m not going to put up so many decorations; we have too many. But, I know me. I will do all those things again. Though I may complain, it bring me happiness to share and stay in touch with family and friends. After all, that’s what Christmas is all about; sharing the love we receive from a tiny little babe in a manger so many years ago.
To you and yours, Merry Christmas!
Until next time, God bless.
Skip’s mom, Cb
Watching The Star
Tuco watching Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer
Tuco’s first family photo with Santa
A sunrise of our cow in the front yard
Tuco finds his presents
Unwrapping presents
After a busy day opening Christmas presents