Merry Christmas (Eve)!

I do love the Christmas season, and Christmas Eve is filled with a kind of magic that cannot be compared.  Sure, I love all the days in the holiday season, but there is something about the waiting, the candlelight service, the cookies, and (usually) the snow.  Although our Christmas Eve looks a bit different, celebrating as a new family is something I look forward to.  Karl calls me a child at Christmas.  He shakes his head in July when I'm in my swimsuit singing Jingle Bells, and he shakes his head in December when I'm shaking all the gifts under the tree.  And somehow, I've already opened three gifts, and I know that after the service, I will receive another one.  What a champ.

On Christmas Day and the days after, we look forward to celebrating and enjoying the warmth that family and friends bring.  But I just wanted to post to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas!  May we be truly thankful for the greatest Gift, and I pray that we never take these special moments for granted.

A Little Trip

Although our main destination was Tupelo, Mississippi, we veered off towards Memphis, Tennessee for a small tour.

We started the tour on Beale Street, a street famous for its bars and novelty shops.  Our bus tour was led by a singing tour guide- corny at first, but in a way, enhanced the tour immensley.  It was interesting to hear about the famous beginnings of singers who changed American music.  He would then sing small snippets of certain songs or types of music.  Even with the rain, Memphis is a sight to see.

Unfortunately, by the end of the afternoon, Memphis had a flood warning.  It was time to get out of there.  But not before we sampled Memphis barbeque first.  Needless to say, it might have won our small, internal contest.

But now that our little trip is over, our big trip is about to begin.  Christmas Day we are traveling back to Pennsylvania for a week and a half!  As of right now, the packing has not commenced- we will need a suitcase just for presents.  But perhaps I will get to it tomorrow.  Our schedule while we are back visiting family has filled rather quickly and interspersed are visits to the dentist (for Karl).  While I am especially glad to see family, I look forward to a nice cuddle with my mom's new kitten and waiting for Karl to say funny things after his oral surgery.  It's the small things in life.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!