RATE = DISTANCE OVER TIME

I had a long heart-to-heart with one of my brothers today, something I don't do quite often enough. Somewhere in our conversation, we talked about time and perspective, and I started to quickly do a mental run-through of the last 10 years. Where on earth did they go so quickly? Long after I'd hung up the phone with him, I was still beside myself at how fast the years have flown by, and I realized that it really is a matter of perspective. My oldest daughter is 5 - and yet, I remember bringing her home like it was yesterday. Time has seemed to speed up with age - and I'm still trying to get a grasp on it.

That said, I can't believe we're a week into 2011 already! I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to 2010 - the year that brought me my son, a new house, and an interesting mix of opportunities and challenges. Nonetheless, here we are, and I am ever hopeful and anxious for all that 2011 will bring.

As late I am in saying it...Happy New Year!

WELCOMING BABY CHRISTIAN!

A new baby is the beginning of all things: wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.

On December 23rd, my husband and I celebrated our anniversary, which we now share with our handsome grand-nephew, Christian Pelenato, who made his big debut into the world that morning. He joins 3 older siblings, and is precious as can be! The perfect Christmas blessing!!

CHRISTMAS 2010

After weeks of procrastinating, I "pulled off" our Christmas celebration with a last-minute 4-foot tree we bought and decorated 2 days shy of the big day, chocolate chip cookies we baked for Santa, and wrapped presents that took me until 4:00 am to finish Christmas morning. The looks on the girls' faces were truly priceless as they paraded downstairs to see if Santa had come, and it was all well worth it.

I am so very thankful to have such wonderful family and friends, both near and far, who made Christmas Day all the more special.

Wishing you all peace and love this holiday season, and a very Merry Christmas - from my family to yours!



Eden, Taimane & Israel's Christmas spread..lol


My baby's first Christmas..checking out his gifts!

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Amidst the hustle and bustle the holidays can bring, we are ever mindful of the true meaning of this special day. We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, as HE is the Reason for the Season. Ia manuia le Kerisimasi!

GRINCH?

Christmastime is without a doubt, my FAVORITE time of the year.  The sounds, the smells, the food!, the lights, everything.  My best childhood memories are around Christmastime, and I've always intended it be that way for my kids too.  It's about tradition, right?  My husband finds a fresh tree every year and the decor goes up, the lights are bright on the tree each night, the Christmas candles burn, the Christmas songs play, we make Christmas treats, there's a visit to Snowflake Lane, we read about the true meaning of Christmas, and the kids are giddy for weeks.  We rest assured that Santa will come and appreciate our holiday spirit.

This year is a little different.

It's 2 hours from December 20th and I don't have a tree up.  I haven't wrapped a single gift, and that candle there?  It's probably the closest thing I've got going to decorating.  It smells like cranberry, which makes my living room smell slightly Christmasy.

My excuse(s)?  Buying a new house in the middle of the holidays, the girls' birthdays, and our anniversary.  A crazy work schedule, a million and ten things to do before the year is over.  Packing.  Cleaning.  Expenses.  Something had to give, and that was it: my Christmas Spirit.

So, I'm feeling a little Grinch-ish, Internet, and I have 5 days to figure this out.  It'll be my son's first Christmas.  My girls are captivated by the holidays this year.  Eden can legibly write out the alphabet, so she sent Santa a letter (with some spelling help).  Santa sent her back a video via the PortableNorthPole (coolest thing ever).  She and Taimane actually get all the words right to "Jingle Bells" and "Santa's Coming to Town."  They've been asking about making gingerbread houses and cookies and wrapping presents, and I've done zilch.  I need the Procrastination-Fix-It-Fairy to swoop down and wave her magic wand and get it together for me.  Let me know if anyone out there knows how I can find her. *Sigh.*