The glamorous 3 day work week of a nurse definitely has it's downfalls, y'all. This was my year to work Christmas so we had to stay in Raleigh. This was the first Christmas EVER that we weren't able to be at our parents house, and I mourned for that a little. Although the thought of having Christmas at our house is exciting, it still felt different.
This was the Hymel's year to get Christmas day (we flip flop between Brandon's parents and my parents each year) so the whole Hymel crew, pups included, invaded our new house! And it was fantastic.
I would like to take a minute to point out the above picture. Mainly, the psychotic pup you see uncontrollably howling on my husband's lap. Now look at the other two pups, behaving and looking quite regal. And the stubborn toddler who may not be smiling, but is at least looking at the camera. And then all the rest of the humans who are looking quite festive and normal despite an oddly warm December day. Now...look back at my sweet dog. Bless her heart. Her prozac can only do so much, I guess.
I digress. Christmas with Lucas this year was so much fun. He acted like the Christmas tree in our living room was new every day, gasping with excitement each morning we would come down the stairs. And the presents! He understood that those were presents and they were special and most of them were for him! There was such a sweet balance of excitement and calmness with his regards to the gifts. He was SO excited to open them! Open them! That's what he kept saying. But when it was all done, he was not a brat about it, and I consider that a HUGE success and I hope he stays that way forever.
And after each present, we would remind him who it was from. He would then walk up to whoever the present was from and say with the sweetest and most sincere tone that his little voice could muster, "thank you unka J aunt K." "thank you Nana. thank you Poppy." etc. etc. etc.
And I melted.
I was complete mush by the time he got to me. He walked up to me and took a deep breath and shrugged those little shoulders up and down and said "thank you mommy" and I started crying. Yep. On Christmas in the middle of my living room I cried like a baby because I was overwhelmed at the sweetness of this child. And then mom and Kelsey got teary too! It was kind of ridiculous but oh so sweet.
After Lucas was finished opening his own presents, he wanted to hand other people their presents. So he would come up to the tree and pick a present, then bring it to me and I would tell him who to give the present to. He would then walk over to that person and hand them the present, they would exchange their thank you's, and Lucas would sit in front of them to watch them open their present. Of course we let him help tear the wrapping paper, but he was so good and patient.
(I clearly still hadn't pulled myself together by this point, yet.)
Then...Christmas morning came! And Santa came! And I was able to stay home from work!
The day after Christmas, Brandon's parents came through town on their way to Florida! I don't know what happened, I didn't take many pictures. But Lucas got gifts from Aunt Sis (Steph) and Uncle Wes in Florida, and of course MiMi and PaPa. It was way too short of a visit!
Brandon's Uncle Tim had a job as a truck driver and was on his way through Raleigh on Christmas, so he stopped by the house and Lucas got to see his big truck.
It truly was an incredible Christmas. There is so much to be thankful for this season.
I am thankful for Jesus, my friends and family, and this silly boy who has rocked our world.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
