I awoke to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and chatter coming from the kitchen. I kicked the warm covers away and began to stretch to waken my body when Champ let out an exhausted yawn. He placed his sleepy head on my lap and with his tail happily wagging. I reached my hands down to scratch the sweet spot behind his ears and in return, he planted a slobbering lick across my face. I chuckled trying to get him to stop and as if it were contagious, I could hear the laughter that roared from the kitchen. I couldn’t help but smile.Â
What a blessed way to wake up on Christmas Eve morning.Â
I made my way to the kitchen.  Shawn and Chunky looked up from their places at the table and greeted me with excited smiles. I could see that the tree was lit in the living room, ready for the night’s celebration. Christmas music softly played from the radio as Shawn and I discussed what needed to be cooked, baked, and cleaned in preparation for the night’s festivities. We both took in a breath before we left the table, knowing that it was going to be an extremely busy few days, but this time?
This time, I was ready.
I finished the sugar cookies with Chunky’s assistance and packaged them in Christmas tins for family members. Each tin was decorated with a wooden tag hand painted with love from Chunky.
The baking and cooking bonanza ensued into the early afternoon. The intoxicating deliciousness of smells lured taste testers and cookie stealers too anxious to wait till nightfall. Chunky and I danced to music while we waited for the oven timer to chime and even Shawn jumped in a dance or two around the kitchen. My kitchen that day?
Felt so full of happiness.
Before we knew it, it was almost time for early mass at church. I think that we cleaned up rather well wouldn’t you say?
The church was jammed to the hallways full of people. We couldn’t find our family members amongst the crowds of faces. We took a seat at the back of the church when an older couple offered it to us. The generosity and compassion and unity among the church goers always gives me a sense of hope in humanity.
I just wished that people carried this with them the 364 other days of the year.
We hurried home after church to pull out food and spirits for my family. That night, my home housed happiness…
…and laughter with a dash of silliness and family love.
And when Chunky began rubbing his eyes, Shawn and I retreated upstairs with him to leave cookies and beer for Santa. I was so thankful to be able to witness the magic in those beautiful eyes as he said “Night, night Santa.” (PS. Yes, he owns a pink soo soo. It’s his fav.)
 
But the best magic came on Christmas morning…
We left our home in a hurry to get to Tim Horton’s before the church rush hit. We drank our coffees while driving to my in-law’s to see what Santa had left there for Chunky and the kids. Santa always spoils them at Gram and Pips.
By the time we were finished it was early afternoon. We had just enough time to make it home and shower before heading to my parents for dinner and for more spoiling. I was looking mostly forward to my Mom’s home cooking. No one cooks a bird better than my Mom.
When our bellies were overly stuffed with goodness, we packed up the car one final time and headed back to the in-laws. By that time, my back was completely exhausted and I retreated to a quiet corner of the room. I sat back and watched how the children’s faces lit up with excitement, my parents laughing as they mingled with my in-laws and extended family, my husband swinging my son as they danced to Pipi’s guitar, as the desserts were passed around the table, the women chuckled over how their husbands wrestled with toy assemblies, as the shots were poured and toasted to another successful Christmas together….
…and how the room glowed with an unending love.
As I watched all of this unfold, my soul felt full.
This is Christmas.
Sounds like you had a really great christmas. I loved that you did so much cooking and danced around. I’m doubly impressed that your back held up all day. I couldn’t even move Sunday after just having my family over to my place. You rock.
And can I just say. You have the cutest husband and child ever. And the big smile on your face is awesome considering the amount of pain you are in constantly. You rock
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Kimberly Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
@Donna, Oh the back…the back…I was swiffering on Christmas Eve and I threw it out hard. But a little ice and some cookies and wine later, I was feeling pretty good
Thank you for your sweet comments. My husband’s head may explode
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It sounds like you had an amazing and happy Christmas!
You totally deserve that!
Love ya, Kimberly!
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Kimberly Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
@liz, YAY!! Go me! I loved every single minute of it, even when my mother in law insisted that I try her cookies that were clearly burnt on the bottom.
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You have a delicate way with words Kimberly. It felt like I was with you every car ride of the way. I’m so glad you were ready this year and were able to enjoy it. xoxox
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Kimberly Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
@Pamela, Thank you Pamela. I hope that your Christmas was just as sweet. Love you girl
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Aww… it sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas. So happy for you. PS. I thought I took a lot of pictures. You, my friend, put me to shame!
Love every single one.
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Kimberly Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
@Krista, Oh, it’s a ridiculous amount of photo taking. I think I’m addicited and that my son may be partially blind in one eye from all the flashing. Just think, if our toilet didn’t crap out (pun intended) we would have bought a new camera for Christmas!
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L.O.V.E. it! So happy you all had a very blessed CHRISTmas! Great pictures!
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Kimberly Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
@Monica, Thank you Monica! I hope that yours was just as sweet and Merry too!
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Now that sounds like a great Christmas! Love the collage photos too.
“As I watched all of this unfold, my soul felt full.” That line gave me the chills. Seriously. It’s perfect.
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Kimberly Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
@Natalie, It truly was. I felt really blessed that day. Kind of makes me sad that it was over so soon.
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Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas – I’m so happy for you!
I also love the way your families end up together at the end of the day after separate visits! How cool is that? I wish my family was all close enough to do that!
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Kimberly Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
@Ally, This was actually the first year that my family and my husband’s family got together. It went pretty well. It was nice having them all under the same roof!
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Very nice! I love how you arranged these! THe pics of your little one are precious, and I also really liked the pics of the big kids by the stockings, those are cool.
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Kimberly Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
@sheila, Yes, us big kids do get a tad silly around the holidays
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I felt like I was celebrating Christmas with you and your family! I loved all of the pictures and really liked how your child left beer for Santa. Ha!
BTW, I attached an addendum about the squirrels. You were right. My ending was way wrong! Also, I jammed the award notification in there b/c I was strongly encouraged to post about it yesterday, the day after I had received it. I didn’t want to write on Sunday, so I put a little blip about it in my post today. I practically had a gun to my head!
Merry belated Christmas!!!!!!!!
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Kimberly Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
@Kelley, HAHAHA! I love you Kelley. I was just playing. Congrats to you though for winning even though they threatened the squirrels out of procreating.
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Just found your blog over at Bloggy Moms. Oh what a wonderful Christmas you had. All those yummy cookies looked really good. Hope you have a wonderful 2011!
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Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas with your family,
Kim. The photos really do tell the story.
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Kimberly Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
@Nancy, It really was a wonderful Christmas. I am very blessed
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Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas!
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Kimberly Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
@Julie S., It definitely was. I’m kinda sad that it’s over.
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What a beautiful Christmas! Don’t you wish it could feel
like that all the time? xo
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Kimberly Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
@Nicole, Oh I totally wish that it would. I’m getting there though
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Beautiful!!! I’m so glad you had a wonderful holiday! I
especially love that you leave Santa cookies and a beer. I may have
to upgrade from the milk next year.
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Kimberly Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
@Melissa, We can only do that for another year I think. The child may wonder why all the other little kids give their Santa a glass of milk.
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hooray for such a fun-filled Christmas! It’s so good to see
such a huge, genuine smile on your face! Love you,
momma!!!
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Kimberly Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
@Katie, I think I was glowing the entire day…no, not from the booze…ok, maybe a little from the booze…but I was super happy. Love you too Momma
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You did have a wonderful holiday and I loved your home made
cookie tins with the hand painted wooden ornaments. Those kind of
presents are the best!
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Kimberly Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
@Grace, My nephews loved them! So super easy and they’re heartfelt. There’s just too many family members to buy everyone a gift but I still wanted to give them something that let them know that we love them
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You guys do clean up well! What a fabulous looking
Christmas. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much…you SO deserved
it!
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Kimberly Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
@Kelly @ City Mom, Yeah, sometimes we like to take showers and get out of our PJ’s. Not often. Just on holidays
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So wonderful! Merry Christmas Kimberly!
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Kimberly Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
@Joey @ Big Teeth & Clouds, Thanks Joey! It was a busy Christmas but I loved every minute of it!
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Sounds wonderful! I am so glad you were able to enjoy the holiday! I know 2011 will bring many more happy holidays for you!
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Kimberly Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
@Kat, Oh I sure hope it does Kat and the same goes for you too!
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y’all look unbelievable. i love ya schmoopy pie. from the
bottom of my cold snarky heart.
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Kimberly Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
@mommakiss, Love you too ponytail cakes
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how fun does this all look?!?! Also i am jealous of how well you can pull of bangs.
no fair.
i’m a wimp and not brave enough.
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Kimberly Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
@Grace @ Arms Wide Open, HAHAHA. I totally was afraid to have them cut but my hairdresser talked me into it! I couldn’t say no to a pregnant lady with scissors…scary
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Santa gets cookies AND beer at your house? Lucky guy!
Beautiful pictures. Looks like a wonderful Christmas!
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Kimberly Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 10:36 am
@Booyah’s Momma, I’m sure that Santa will have to switch to milk once the years of beer takes a number on his tummy
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Ah Kimberly I loved this post. I loved all the joy everyone
experienced. I especially loved your gorgeous smile. You truly
looked at peace with everything and totally happy. A good friend of
mine is depressed and sometimes she has a hard time to keep the joy
brimming at the top, she said to me the other day that there is a
leak somewhere inside her and no matter how full her life may be
that joy seems to empty out. Honey you second to last line is the
one I wish for you the most all the days of your life. May you
never have any leaks and your joy in your life at this moment be
always full to the very top! I often say I love my life and where I
am in it. I say this same fracken thing to you! Merry Belated
Christmas and The Best New Years to you! Hugs girl! Pampered
Patty
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Kimberly Reply:
December 31st, 2010 at 11:12 am
@Patty, Yes, that is exactly how it feels like. Exactly. However with postpartum depression thankfully, it can be cured and hopefully this is the last I see of it.
It’s so hard to describe to people how amazing the world really is when you come out of that dark place. The world is really beautiful if you look hard enough.
I wish you all the best in the New Year Patty. I am so glad that I found you and your blog
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Glad you guys had such a great Christmas:) I’m amazed
& impressed at all your baking – how do you do it
girl?
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Kimberly Reply:
December 31st, 2010 at 11:10 am
@Pamela @My Life as a Libra, I have a midget that lives in my pantry and her name is Betty Crocker premade mixes
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May that feeling of joy and contentment last throughout the
year! Wishing you and your family the very best for 2011.
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