I really CAN bite my tongue.

Really, I can. I'll prove it right now. Over the course of the last week I have had ample opportunity to say things that have been on my mind. I even just wrote a bunch of it down but then deleted it. I thought I would post all of my feelings about my Christmas vacation that I wasn't able to express, on my blog - since it's MY blog. But I won't.

Yes, you may thank me now for sparing you the heartache. All I will say (for those of you who know what I am TRULY feeling) is I was disappointed this year by Christmas. I had received so many miracles and blessings over the 2 weeks leading up to this glorious holiday, I was hoping for one last Christmas miracle - a family get together that Popeye & I wouldn't leave feeling slighted, belittled or out casted. And in that I am disappointed.

I want to say more. OH how I want to say SO MUCH MORE! But none of that is nice. Instead I will share some of the more positive highlights of this Christmas holiday.

Over the course of the past few weeks, we have been on the receiving end of Christmas. We do not know who contributed to the outpouring of food, gifts and love, but we are SOOO grateful. I still cry when I think of the generous contribution someone(s) made in purchasing some new batteries for Mr. Fantastic. I don't know who you are (Popeye has a feeling, but I'm not sure) but it was so much more than I could ever imagine. Thank you. So much.

Christmas Eve morning we opened our presents. The kids were great. They had a wonderful time opening their presents and playing (briefly) with them. We ate Christmas crunch berries for breakfast (I wanted to make cinnamon rolls - but couldn't bring myself to get up early enough to do it) and candy - of course. Breakfast of champions!!!

After all of that took place, we headed to Colorado to spend the Christmas week with family. First off to Popeye's family. We had some great food and the kids had a wonderful time playing with their new sleeping bags! Popeye's parents always make us feel so welcome, even though sleeping arrangements are cramped and sitting arrangements are even more so. They are always so thoughtful. We celebrate Christmas eve at their house - always have. He grew up opening all his gifts on Christmas Eve - so this is a tradition that we still do with his parents.

The next morning (the 25th) we headed down to my parents' house. Three of my four sisters (with their families) were already there, as was one of my two brothers with his girlfriend. This is what I had been anticipating for a few months now. Sister #2 was here! I haven't seen her (or her hubby or daughter) in almost 5 years! It was so great seeing her! It was so great sitting and talking with her husband in my dad's office. It was so great seeing Mr. Fantastic and their daughter get along so well. They've done a wonderful job raising her and they seem very happy.
Brother #1 was home on leave from the Army's boot camp - so it was nice to see him, too! And as always, it was nice to visit with my other sisters and parents (who I see more regularly).
I think the highlight of the trip was watching all the cousins play. 16 of them total (until this one makes her entrance). We had a makeshift "talent show" that everyone enjoyed (but not everyone participated in, myself included), we had wonderful food and games, too.
I wish we (my own little brood) could have joined in on the caroling the night before - they went to fire houses and emergency rooms and caroled to everyone working on Christmas Eve. I think that's what I missed out on the most.
But sitting around singing, eating and talking was nice. Thank you to Mom and Dad for putting up with the noise & mess (at least I cleaned my room and bathroom!).

I think the most memorable experience for others would be the plumbing problem on Christmas night.
See, as a gift, my mom told me I could lock the door to her room & take a nice, long, hot bath in her jacuzzi tub. So I did. And when I drained the water, it caused a back-up in the sewage line thus flooding my bathroom downstairs along with the 2 storage rooms. Eew. I mean, really, EEEEEEW! So that night we had to go to the church to use the facilities until a power snake could be rented the next morning.
Plumbing problems just seem to follow us, don't they?
But it was fixed and by the time most of the troops woke up, toilets were able to be flushed, sinks were able to be run and we didn't have to brush our teeth out on the balcony with water we had filled into pitchers the night before. But it was stinky - and I swear it had NOTHING to do with the bathtub! :D

And now we're home. And we're glad to be here. Popeye got me a much wanted sudoku book and a couple of pretty scarves ($5 at Voldemart!) and I was able to save to get him a new pair of running shoes and an armband to hold his iPod. (I love that his running shoes can be used as a tax write-off!)

I am going to try to forgive and forget the not so fun parts of this vacation and really try to remember all the blessings that we received. I can't let anger or frustration consume me - it's not healthy (or so they say). So tomorrow I'll start putting away Christmas decorations - because I don't have to work most of this week - and look forward to getting ready for this bundle of joy to make her appearance in the world!