A good, no. A GREAT holiday.

I hope everyone had an amazing, beautifully wonderful Christmas. It's day 4 of my Christmas stay-cation and I have to say it's been a great week/end. Between the holiday hustle and bustle I found peace and quiet to enjoy crocheting and cross off items on my holiday bucket list.

1. Send Christmas cards.

2. See my Grandparents.

3. Make handmade gifts.

4. Donate time.

5. Be happy and healthy.

I came pretty close to completing the list. I am just a little bit frustrated that I wasn't able to donate time. I was invited to a nursing home to bring cookies and paint the nails of elderly ladies, but the timing didn't work out. I wish I would've been able to go.

However, I am rather satisfied with the things I did accomplished. Next year I plan on sending out more Christmas cards, especially if I am able to get them at a good price like I did this year. I will also make sure that R helps me with my list of recipients. In all the rush to get the greetings addressed  I missed a couple people that he wanted to send cards to. :( I'll do a better job next year.

#2 was the best part of my whole holiday! Spending time with my grandparents and parents, with my family by my side. I realized that my grandpa gives the best hugs. We didn't stay long but just to see my Grandpa and Grandma for awhile was wonderful. I have to say this was the best gift of the season.

Coffee trip, Christmas Morning, Penny & Papa & Heading up north

Also, I completed all of my handmade gifts just in time this year. I think this year I need to start crafting in July so that I am not painting and crocheting at 11pm on Christmas Eve. But, everyone loved their gifts and I really enjoyed seeing the smiles on their faces when they opened them, which makes it all worth it.

Be happy and healthy. I'm thankful to say we are all happy and healthy (minus E's runny nose)!

Once again, I hope everyone had a great holiday. See you next year. 2015 is just around the corner.

Keep Loving.

Holiday bucket list

Yes, I have a  holiday bucket list! It's rather short. The way I look at it is: the fewer items, the more chances I have of accomplishing those items. I hope that sounds optimistic because I am optimistic about my holiday bucket list. It is the holidays after all.

1. Send Christmas cards. I want to send Christmas cards this year! I love receiving mail so I know those that will receive my mail, especially Christmas cards will love it too. Plus, I got a great deal on groupon.com this year. I'm excited to hop online to design my holiday cards, address and stamp each envelope and put them in the mail.

2. See my Grandparents.  I haven't seen my Grandparents since this summer, minus a surprise visit from my Grandma at work a couple weeks ago. I need need need to go visit them. As my Mother reminded me yesterday, "they're getting up there (in age). It's very important you see them." She's right. Plus, I really enjoy spending time with them. It will be nice to see them for the holidays.

3. Make handmade gifts. I made all the gifts I gave last year and really enjoyed seeing everyone's responses to the gifts. Yes, they were all good responses. I think my family enjoys receiving homemade gifts. If not...too bad! That's what they're getting. ;)

4. Donate time. I started going to church again. My sister invited me a couple weeks ago and it just felt like the right time to go. And the church, the people and the message delivered each Sunday feels right too. I want to donate time to the community this year. I am excited to help others!

5. Be happy and healthy. With all the crazy, sad and unbelievable things that happen in the world I will be more than satisfied and greatful with a happy and healthy family this year. :)

What is on your agenda for the holidays? Do you currently have a bucket list? If so, what is on it? I'm curious to know.

Keep Loving.

All your family.

I requested 3 days off from work this week because I REALLY needed a break. Plus, my mom just got back from a month vacation in South Carolina and Tennessee. I haven't seen her in awhile and decided it was time for a visit home. And it definitely was. I enjoyed every minute of a relaxing day and a half back home.

Trina and I spent a couple hours with our Grandparents. They are always so delighted to see us. And it is always so nice to see them. Just to catch up on life and the latest happenings is enjoyable. Of course we couldn't miss out on a little game time. I'm now addicted to Triominos and might have to run out and buy it tomorrow.

Then we went to visit my Mom's really good friend Linda and Aunt Elaine. I've got to say I love gabbing with my parents and their friends. It's just non stop stories, laughter and genuine conversation. It's a really great feeling to be surrounded by people that care about you and what is taking place in your life.

We ended our Thursday evening at my cousin Lisa's place, where we slept for the night. But not before we chit chatted until midnight. Our too short stay there was also filled with giggling and stories. She has a 3 year od son, Aiden, so I was thrilled to talk to her about babies and birth. She showed me an amazing pregnancy progression video that finally inspired me to take snapshots of my growing belly.

I even got a little face time in with my Dad, Kacey, Keisha and Zach. Only missed out on Kristel. :(

I never feel like I spend enough time with my family. Of course I have my family here, which makes being away from the people I've known my whole life a bit easier. But their is something about my family that really doesn't compare to anyone else. When I sit in my grandparents kitchen I am filled with a contentment and soft joy. Maybe that's the meaning of family.

Not seeing my famiy as often as I used to has allowed me to grow to appreciate them so much more. It's an appreciation I can only hope others have or will find too. They say you only get one family. And it really is what you make it to be.

Keep loving. All your family.