A History of Merry Christmas's Indeed!

I hope everyone had a merry Christmas, because it is a wonderful thing! I think Christmas's just keep getting better and better now that I'm on my own.
The first Christmas I felt the worst, ever! Sooo guilty, as my new hubby and I were expecting a baby in 3 months, and having recently moved only what our cars could carry, strapped our mattress on our Ford Taurus, and drove back from Phoenix, to Ohio. We kinda jumped in to B's parents house (surprise!) on Christmas Eve or so. We had no money, no gifts, no nothing! Our families somehow made up all this stuff to get for us, and we were given sooooo much. I still feel guilty about that Christmas. We were just glad to be back with family where we weren't in a danger of losing the roof over our heads. That was the last Christmas we had with B's Aunt Patt, or PNana we called her because she was pretty much like his mom's other half. She was battling cancer, and her health had recently been declining in large jumps. I remember Christmas was the best time of the year for her. She started doing crafts and things around July. I miss her Christmas joy, every year. No matter how I try to recreate it, it lacks a lot. My favorite thing fromo this Christmas was the skill I learned through these trials-- praying with a sincere heart and real intent. Prayers have never been just a prayer to me ever again. I needed the Lord a lot that year.
The second Christmas was a bit still and tense as the wonderfully mentioned PNana had just passed away, and I had not passed my massage boards...by 2 points. Not passed meant I got a 79 instead of an 81. *sigh still* Anyways, it was an exciting Christmas all at the same time because it was Chloe's first. She definitely loved it... being around 9mo. old. Brian and I had just moved into our own house in downtown Rossford, Ohio. A real fixer upper... lots of stories about that some other time. I think my favorite thing that I got that year... was Victoria Secret slippers and some good smelling perfume (to bring me back from sluggish mom to hot and comfy mom!) I learned this year that I have to tell Brian what to get me.... not just wait and hope for the magical things to appear under the tree. It was memorable for yet another reason--my brother and sisters were all there. It was really fun having everyone together, but it was definitely a different dynamic with everyone's spouses and kids around and one on the way.
The third Christmas was still amazing, because I was balancing life with a new baby- E Rose was almost two months old, and I was adjusting to having two kids. It took a while. Christmas was still a little somber but not too bad. I don't remember anything much except my favorite gift that year was a CD player for the kitchen.. I love it still!! Was it this Christmas or the next?? The Christmas picture was taken when I had gotten everyone ready but myself... a very new mom thing to do so I looked rather hustled and very plain in the pictures that we sent out that year. This was a year I chanced it and bought B one of those DVD burners.
The fourth Christmas Eva had turned one, and I was determined to bring the Christmas spirit into the house by listening to the Christmas music channel in Ohio called the RIVER 101.5, which played holiday music the day of Thanksgiving all the way to Christmas... alllll day long. Eva and Chloe were pooped by the time we celbrated anywhere else that day, and the weather was 60 something and raining. Odd for Ohio at that time of year. My favorite gift that year was a NY and Co gift card - and a cd which had the song, Ride a Cowboy on it. Good song. Loved it! I was able to go to a Glenn Beck show before Christmas, and it made the season very memorable and left an imprint on my soul about the hope of redemption Christ gave us. We celebrated at our house, Brians and my moms for the last time.
The last Christmas we had was fun, but chaotic with life in a new city, state, and environment. Some presents could be opened early and others on the phone, and I was to remember which ones. That terrified me.... My favorite thing was the apron I received... right up there with the little Buddha guys! But I really appreciated going at a slower pace, and not worrying about appearences that day. It was wonderful to not stress about kids, naps, even time!
This Christmas was fun because B's parents were out here, and my Gpop was able to make it out here. It was super fun! My favorite thing was having all the family together while I was working in the background. I love that though. My favorite thing this year was a KitchenAid. I also received an accesory to that now. I imagine it will last me for a good 30 years or so.
That's all the Christmas's until now -- I think they are really getting better and better! Next year Gabriel will be one and it will be amazingly fun! Chloe is getting sooo grown up, wanting girl things now and Eva is following suit.