Christmas 2009 and such

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! We really had a wonderful Christmas. It was admittedly a busy time and that part was a little rough on Ariel, but she is a trooper and made the best of it all.

She was 14 months old Sunday. She's walking a lot now - though it's still now her primary mode of transportation. The Christmas present opening was fun for her. She particularly enjoyed the tissue paper. She was given a lot of really nice gifts - doll babies, alphabet games, puzzles, books, clothes, a football, stuffed things, bath toys, Disney movies. My favorite was her doll babies. They are her very first dolls and when she opened them she immediately reached for the little waist of the doll to hold it. Once we removed the packaging and handed her the doll, she knew exactly what to do. She hugged it close. Then she kissed the babies head when we asked her. Another day, when we handed her a doll she held her close and started rocking her whole body. Sweet child. It was so precious to watch. Jason realized we have a little girl. Girls get baby dolls for Christmas and really like them. Girls hold their baby dolls and make everyone say "awww," even Daddy. I'll post pictures eventually. Hopefully.

I enjoyed gift giving this year. I tried to be as frugal as possible, but also generous and creative. I feel pretty good about the things we gave our loved ones this year. Several of our good friends received yummy treats: no bake cookies (but with coconut) and swirly salted pecan chocolate bark. Next year I have other food ideas I want to try too like jar tea mixes and seasonings and vanilla. Several family members received inexpensive or free 1 year subscriptions to magazines they enjoy. Others were given photo gifts that were free or shipping only like mugs, calendars, photos, photo books, puzzles, playing cards, etc. I have to fight the urge to feel guilty when I don't spend for gifts, but rationalize that the time and energy put into these types of gifts is special. I really did work hard on these gifts and all were received very well. Several of them will be gifted again next year probably as a second "edition" - i.e. Ariel's 2nd year flip book. The puzzle we ordered turned out really cute too - probably one of my favorite gifts which we gave to my grandmother who lives in an assisted living facility and loves games and puzzles. I also made a few gifts here at home - like these cute monster pillows, this fleece baby ball/block, fleece dog toys (braided rope and knotted frisbee). Mom even found some dishes she really wanted at a consignment shop that we were able to give her. There were also some AMAZING sales in stores and online that helped make gifts so affordable.

I've already started our gift list for next year. I'm excited about buying all year long and finding great deals. I'm also excited about more homemade stuff - that people can actually enjoy. We'll see what turns up. I've got it in mind to give a few gifts that give - like shirts from Rosa Loves. I know that Christmas isn't about the gifts, but I genuinely enjoy trying to find the perfect gift and giving it. Generosity is a good thing that I have been guilty of ignoring in the past under the disguise of money saving. This year I learned I can do both and I like it.

Our time with family this year was really pleasant. It was relaxed and fun. We also spent a lot of time driving, but that allowed us to have good "nuclear" family time - which sometimes is missing at busy times like this. Our church experiences were very nice as well (though definitely eventful and not always smooth). We even had "snow" in church at our Christmas Eve service - VERY COOL! The only negative of the whole season - I ate way too much junk food this season. It was all really tasty though!

Next, on to the New Year and the launching of all the resolutions I made. Planning to get the details together where necessary this week. Excited!


On a separate note - just want to say I love my husband. I love talking to him, especially in the car during our many drives. He's my best friend. He's interesting. He gives me perspective. He empathizes with me. He makes me giggle. He loves our girl. He said "awww" when she held her baby doll so sweet.