Oh Christmas Eve, Oh Christmas Eve

So since Nate and I have been together, we've celebrated Christmas together.  Both of our families celebrate on Christmas Eve, we juggle both, although its hard, and sometimes frusturating.  My family lives north, Cambridge, North Branch, Isanti, Harrisish area, and his live near White Bear Lake, Roseville, St. Paulish areas, which means we commute. 

We usually head to mine, stay a few hours and then head down to his.  We eat and do a dice game with mine, and then we miss the eating with his, but make it in time for the gift opening.   One year we didnt get to his side's until like 9 or later, and they graciously waited for us.   This year, my wonderful cousin Jill decided they'd start our side an hour earlier.... in hopes we can make it to his side a little earlier too... we will see.

I love Christmas time, this past week at work, I was so sidetracked. My mind was 90% on the upcoming holidays!! :)   The bummer of this past week, or current week is the flu/cold.   It has hit our house, pretty darn good.  Addison started it off, my cousin Jamie and I took our troops (Mason, Caydin, Caylib and Addison) down to the Macy's Christmas display, followed by a long day of shopping.   They all did so well, considering in and out of the car, in the cold. Shopping for people other then themselves...you get the drift.   By the end of our trip I noticed Addison looked really run down, and I wasnt sure if it was due to lack of sleep that day, or if the sickies were coming on.

Jamie dropped us off at home, and of course our garage key pad was FROZEN!  Nate was out ice fishing, and we were stuck.  So, I lug the bags and I had taken out, and myself back into Jamie's SUV and we head back to Jamie's.  (Luckily she lives SUPER close to me, like not even a mile)

We hung out there, ate some dinner... and Addison ended up vomiting.   That was the beginning of my poor girls flu/cold... and she is still fighting it.   Hopefully better today.   She spent the night with her Grandma/Grandpa Larson and of course her auntie Kelli, Kelli is just getting over some type of bug, but personally I am hoping it was a case of food poisening in hopes Addison will not get it.

I also have a cold.... and it seems like it got worse overnight.   I will still get through the busy next two days, but hopefully no one gets mad at me for bringing my cold along... I'd kick it if I could.

Also....Christmas time.... really brings an extra JOY! :)   Also, it really, really reminds me of what I am thankful for, and how lucky I am.  My life aint perfect, but who's is?

I have a FT Job, the pay is decent, benefits are decent, my co workers are pretty darn decent... is it my ideal job, heck no!  Do I get bored with it, yea.... could it be worse? A whole lot worse!  I am grateful.

A house, with heat!  I love our house, other then the lack of space... haha.  Addison's toys are taking over, and she hasnt even opening her Christmas gifts yet... but the more stuff, the more cozy we are.  Right?  I know so many people this last year have lost their homes, and I know some people cannot afford heat... and for these things I am soo grateful!

My parents.... god, you have no idea how fricken lucky I am.    They spoil me really, they spoil us.  They LOVE our daughter like their own.  They arent by any means rich, but yet, they always are wanting to help us with daycare costs, or groceries, Dr. bills, co pays.... we dont ask for it, heck I honestly tell them to stop... but they have helped us out so much, and just thinking about it could make me cry.  How did I get so lucky?   They rock.... they are my rocks.... dont know what I'd do without them.

My husband.... our marriage isnt perfect, not even close....but it is lovely.  We get eachother, we love eachother, we really would do anything for one another.  I may get totally pissed off about the amount of time played on his PS3... but heck, I am lucky he aint out in the bars getting drunk, or out sleeping around...and his passion for fishing, some may be totally annoyed with how often he is gone fishing, but hey, its his hobby, its a not a bad hobby, and I get some nice dinners out of the deal! :)

and of course my dear Addison.   You always hear "You dont know how much you can love your child, until you have one"  SO TRUE.  She is amazing in ever sense of the word.  She is my pride and joy, she is like my little best friend.  I always tell Nate "she is my hobby"  I love taking her with me everywhere I go, (of course I do like a night out with the ladies, or a night out with the hubby, or a day out with my momma) once in awhile, child free... but you all know what I mean.  I am so grateful for her!!!

Also, the car I drive, my extended family.... they totally rock. My friends, the ones I see, and the ones I dont... I love them!  SO yeah, you can totally tell I dont have a kid home this morning, I just spent how many minutes writing this long thing... anyways, Ill post some Christmas photos from this weekend, well, once its finished I guess.

Enjoy your Christmas, and enjoy your family!! <3