Saturday was Christmas Eve. December 24. I woke up early again for gymnastics. It was optional, but I just figured I’d go. Turns out I was the only one. It was kind of nice though. I didn’t have to share or take turns on the equipment. And best of all I got both of my coaches attention the entire time. I worked on my floor routine and on bars. I even got a long-hang pullover and came close to getting peach baskets.
We went to Christmas Eve mass at 4pm which was the children’s mass. Before mass started there was the children’s nativity scene/play. I could hardly see, but it was just so cute. There was also a children’s choir that was really good. We sat right behind them. It reminded me of the mass at Aly’s church at NCYC. During his homily Father asked all of the kids younger than 4th grade to gather around him. He asked them what they wanted for Christmas. Most said DSI, playstation, iphone, ipads. Crazy. One said a car. And another said a big brother or sister. Aw. Then he asked what the one thing they wanted most a few years ago was. He told them to look around and look at how few of hands were in the air this time. He then went on to explain that we sometimes forget about things even if just a year ago they seemed so important. That is true for most gifts and presents. Besides the love of Christ and the fact that he died for us all. His love and grace never gets broken or lost or runs out of batteries. We never grow out of it and should never forget it.
After mass we had a big family dinner. Josue also joined us. We had pork roast and potatoes and rolls and cheese cake for dessert. Josue also brought some food from his mom. After dinner we all played Apples to Apples. It was really funny playing with everyone. We also opened a few gifts that evening. Josue and I exchanged our gifts. I got him a pair of Nikes and a cd I made him. He got me a white fuzzy Northface and an iphone dock. I love my jacket. It’s so warm and soft! My family drew names and we opened those presents from each other. My mom had me and got me a dvd called The Christmas Blessing. Which was a sequel to The Christmas Shoes. I received it last year because it had Rob Lowe in it! He was on the cover of this one too. But he was hardly in this one. It was still good. And still brought tears to my face. It was sad enough that the man remembered losing him mom, but it made me think of my own Grandma which was the source of my sadness. I just miss her.
Finally. Sunday was December 25. Christmas! I awoke at 7:30 to Michael shaking me saying “presents!” Maria and I followed him out to the living room. My eyes were hardly open as I ripped off the wrapping paper to my gifts. I got a lot of clothes, books, money, and an UP bracelet that tracks your sleep, steps, and what you eat. It was fun to watch everyone else unwrap theirs too. We tried out our new waffle maker for breakfast.
Than got ready for church. We went yesterday, but we figured we should go to the 9:30am mass with my dad. It was a lot less people compared to the children’s mass. During Father’s homily he mentioned one would need to light 2011 candles on a cake for Jesus’ birthday. Maria turned to me asking why someone would do that. She didn’t understand what lighting cigarettes on a cake even meant. I was confused what she was talking about and she clarified with me that “Father said 2011 camels on a cake. Wouldn’t that be cigarettes? Because why would you put 2011 camels on a cake.” After I explained to her that she misheard and father said candles we tried to contain our laughter.
After coming home from church we played our new Just Dance 3 game for the wii. It was so much fun! Maria and I loved the new song selection. Then we got ready and went to my dad’s about noon.
When we got there we played a game of blokus before eating lunch together. And I won! For the first time. For lunch my dad made lasagna and garlic bread. The table looked so fancy. Then we had chocolate mousse type cake/pie. It was all very tasty.
Next, we opened presents. We all tried on our shirts and thanked my dad. Maria and I also got a coupon with money for shopping with my dad. We were excited to be able to use them.
We hung out at his house the rest of the day and watched Elf and napped and ate some more. Then we left and went back to my mom’s house at 9pm.
Monday morning yet again, I did not get to sleep in. I woke up at 7:15 to go to Lafayette with my dad. He wanted to hit the mall and miss the crowds. We went to Old Navy and Hollister to exchange sizes for Maria and I’s shirts. At Charlotte Rousse I bought two new dresses that I’m excited about. One is even purple! (well light purple). Then we went to Macy’s and shopped for my dad.
When we got back into town, I met my dad at the gas station and he washed my car. Then I drove it to his house for more work. I vacuumed it out, then we changed the serpentine belt. And by we, I mean mostly my dad. But I did hold the flashlight. I was a little scared, but my dad got it. He can really fix (or clean) just about anything.
I left my car in his workshop garage, and my mom picked me up. I showered and got ready, then Dan, my mom, Maria, and I headed to Circle Center in Indy around 2:30. They let Maria and I walk around which was pretty fun. I discovered that Delia’s has a size short in jeans as well as a shorter size-petite. Good to know. I ended up spending some of my Christmas money from my Grandparents and purchased a belt, a headband, a skirt, a sweater to wear with leggings, a pair of jeans, and a pair of shoes. All, of course, on sale. Like the sweater was originally $44 and I bought it for $9. I just find that things are so expensive they generally aren’t worth buying at full price.
We ate dinner at Circle Center at Johnny Rockets. I had a grilled cheese and oreo shake. It was so cute. The chairs and booths and thing that the shake was served in. But mostly our sweet waiter. When all of the waiters lined up in the front and were dancing a girl that must have been about 2 or 3 got out of her chair and started to do the moves they were doing. It was so cute. And our waiter was helping her out and trying to show her what to do next. He was precious, as was she.
Tuesday December 27 was like a personal day. A day of cleaning and decluttering. Bringing happiness and relief and room to breathe. I unpacked my big blue duffel bag from my dad’s house as well as my new Christmas clothes. Then I did lots of laundry. Lots of loads. And I watched as Maria placed bag after bag in the hallway of clothes she was getting rid of.
Oh! And I woke up to white! It snowed! I do love the first snow. It just makes things look so pretty. I took advantage of our first snow and good thing because it didn't stay long. I went outside in my pajama pants and boots and took lots of pictures. Maggie and I even played some soccer. Because nothing stops her from playing.
Around 3pm Sarah came over. She’s been in California on break visiting family, and hadn’t been to our house in a long time. Too long. She is part of the fam basically and even my mom was starting to ask about her and missed her. We played lots of rounds of Just Dance 3. We were both full of energy and excited to play. It gets intense. Then we sat on my mom’s bed while Maria tried to help her get rid of clothes (more like tried to throw out my mom’s clothes). It wasn’t really a joint effort. Sarah and I and my mom just laughed and laughed. At Maria’s persistence. At some of the clothing from my mom’s closet. And at my mom’s reasons and defense for keeping things.
Practice was a bitter one. Well I guess practice was alright. But afterwards we had to take down the floor (well and everything else. But the rest isn’t such a big deal). I was a little skeptical about it because Kim had a family emergency and wasn’t able to be there. And he has a very important role. Luckily Ally’s dad and Marka’s nephew filled in. North’s team was also there to help us and everything went well. We actually got it down faster than I anticipated.
After practice, as promised, my mom sat on my bed in my clean room and helped me go through my clothes. I was so inspired by Maria’s success and reminded multiple times by my mom that, “decluttering makes you feel better and happier and also leaves you with a less messy closet of all things you like” that she read in her my new book called The Happiness Project. I didn’t think I would find many things to let go of. But I pulled out each piece from my closet and each piece from my drawers a few at a time which really helped. I ended up with a big pile that consisted of 23 tshirts, 3 skirts, 11 dresses, 7 sweatshirts, 11 long sleeve shirts, 9 tank tops, 5 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of capris, 1 pair of leggings, 4 pajamas, 2 pairs of jeans, 2 belts, 2 hats, and one swim suit. I haven’t gone through all of my jewelry or shoes yet but I did find a necklace and pair of shoes to give away. I am just so proud of myself and really do feel better. Some of my clothes (and Maria’s too) we are going to see if Plato’s closet will take. And the rest we are going to donate to the Well Baby Clinic or somewhere else that will take them.
Wednesday I woke up and drove to the Parks house at 8:30 to babysit Jensen! I was excited to spend the day with such a fun 2 year old. When I got there his dad, Nate, was still feeding him breakfast. I sat down too and observed Jensen eating an omelet and cereal with blueberries mixed in. I also watched as Nate questioned Jensen a lot. Not that he was skeptical or anything. But he was trying to get Jensen’s mind to grow. For instance, when Jensen said he was eating a plant (just kidding around clearly) Nate asked what did it taste like? I don’t know how to explain it, but asking questions rather than just accepting what a kid says seemed to spark creativity and let them express themselves and learn on their own. All I know is I liked it. You can’t just teach someone the facts, sometimes just asking the questions and letting them think through the answer is a muchhhh better result. Even questions that push them in a clear, straight direction to the answer.
With the exception of eating a snack at 10:30 and lunch at 12:30, Jensen and I played all morning. We played cars and did puzzles and played legos and then went upstairs and played with lots of trains and also catch with his blue and orange ball. I still can’t get over the fact how advanced he seems to be. Like when I thought he said “the fans turned on” he was actually saying “the furnace.” What a big word for a 2 year old. We played a little more after lunch, then went upstairs for his naptime. He picked out two books, The Little Engine that Could and Corduroy. Then he sat on my lap in the rocking chair and listened intently as I read them. I love reading out loud. It reminded me of my childhood and made me feel mom-like. I just love when parents read to their kids. I don’t actually know if it makes a difference, but I assume it makes a big one. And I just love the idea of it. I guess really I do love reading. I felt bad leaving him in his crib, but that’s what his parents instructed me to do. Plus he wasn’t alone. He had the whole gang. Cookie, Big Bird, Elmo, Bert, and his blanket. While Jensen napped I may have done the same. The couch in the living room was so comfy and the blanket was so warm. Plus I woke up early and hadn’t stopped playing. I slept light and continually had an alarm on my phone so I frequently woke up listening for Jensen. But he never did. I used the rest of my time to work on my last blog post. The night before I had gone through my days in my head and figured out what I’d done all the way back to the 17. I wrote it all out on sticky notes. I’m all about list making. Then, Nate came home around 5pm and I left.
Things were kind of in my favor that we didn’t have practice. Though I feel guilty saying that. It was canceled due to the death of my coach’s brother-in-law. My heart breaks for them and the rest of their family. I could not imagine losing someone so young, in his 50s, and especially during Christmas time. Not to mention from an unexpected car accident. Death is just so hard no matter what the situation. I am continuing to pray for them and their family, and extra prayers are welcomed.
Not having practice gave me time to breathe and not rush as I grabbed a few dresses and pair of heels to bring to my friend Clancy’s house. I believe there were about eleven senior girls gathering at her house. We were all looking our best in curled, or straightened hair, dresses, high heels, and cute coats. We took turns getting ready in between eating candy that Clancy bought and drinking sparkling grape juice and soda. We were going to dinner in Indy at the Cheesecake Factory. Not for anyone’s birthday. Just to get everyone together and for a reason to get dressed up!
The ride there was interesting. We took two vehicles. I am still in awe at Clancy and Grace who drove. I just don’t think I could drive to Indy. Especially during the heavy construction that is all over. They did great though! When we got there around 10pm they weren’t able to push tables together that we could all sit at. So 5 or 6 of us had to sit in a booth. They decided we would just sit with the people in our cars. I was a little upset because I felt like the night was an outing with the 4 girls I was with rather than all of them. But I was happy to spend time with such great friends regardless of how many I actually got to hang out with.
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