Christmas...

 ...was so hard for so many years.  It took me forever to figure out how to temper my expectations, to learn to focus on what is important and to just enjoy the day.  There are lots of thoughts I have about the holiday which I won't elaborate on right now.  Suffice it to say that I've finally made my peace with our situation and how the actual season/day unfolds. 

We ran down yesterday to Utah county to see our son and grandson.  We never stay long, an hour is about the max, but we love visiting with them.  Our grandson is a whipsmart dear that we don't get to see near enough (or get to see our son near enough).  They seem content enough which I always hope for all of our loved ones.  "Want" isn't a good place for anyone to be in. 

Surprisingly, we were invited to Christmas breakfast at our son's house. How kind of them, and I think this might be the second year in a row for that invitation.  I'm nervous as I always am to get together with them.  But we'll take our small gifts, stay for about an hour and spend the rest of the day at home.  Our finances don't allow us to spend as much as we used to so we hope that what we've done will be enough and accepted with grace.  I'm all for reducing stress - especially at Christmas time.  This year my surgery has impacted our lives more than I (foolishly) anticipated.  

The Husband was gifted an Advent Puzzle box.  Filled with 15 different small Christmas sweater puzzles.  He's had such fun completing a sweater every day. Such a thoughtful gift.

I love socks.  Have made no secret of that fact.  Have become quite fond of wool socks during the winter.  The ones I've worn the most have been ones we picked up at Costco a few years ago.  Was discomfited to find a hole in the one I put on (and promptly changed) this morning.  I'll save the good sock.  I don't really care if my socks don't perfectly match.  Sooner or later another sock from that batch will also have a hole and then I'll be able to wear two similar warm comfy socks.  

Was invited to read this child's picture book.  I loved it.  Even though I am no longer spending money on picture books (or books of any kind, really) this would be a contender to purchase.  So fun.  

I'm grateful today that we've some rain in the forecast - we so need it.  Our temps have been startlingly high - in the 60's.  Not good for December.  I'm grateful for an outing to look forward to this afternoon.  I'm grateful that so far my surgery recovery is going well.  On our morning walk, we commiserated with each other about how discouraging it is to have bodies that are aging - nothing super serious going on, just a lot of small gripes that impact daily living.  Arthritis being a big one for the both of us.  I'm grateful that the effect of the holidays on our eating (I'm complaining all the time about all the sugar!) will soon pass.  I'm looking forward to less sugar, I find too much of it bothers me more these days.  Must be that aging thing. I will ever be grateful for good books to read and a supply within driving distance - I'm a staunch supporter of our libraries. And I'm most of
all grateful for Christmas.  I've been trying to incorporate some contemplation of the huge blessing it is, our Savior was the best gift to the world.