Christmas 2010

Christmas has come on gone but I will not forget the events of this year.

If you read my previous post you know that Christmas always brings on mixed emotions for me. What I didn't know is how many mixed emotions I would really be feeling this year. My mom called me a few days before Christmas and informed me that she would like to do Christmas on Christmas Eve with my brothers. She said that way I can stay with Roger on Christmas. She really wanted all of us there for Christmas. I happily agreed. I then called Roger and began to cry uncontrollably. My mom had changed Christmas. This was my last Christmas before I was married and now I couldn't spend it with my family. I was devastated. I cried and cried for days. All of the things that I look forward to were gone.

As I drove to my moms, I wasn't sure how this would all work out. My brother and sister-in-law came from California. My little brother and his girlfriend were there and so was my sweet love. We spent an entire afternoon together. I laughed with my brothers. I enjoyed their company. We opened gifts and enjoyed every moment together. My sweet brother and sister got me a picture from their wedding. It is a picture of me hugging my brother and my eyes are closed and he is hugging me back. I cried when I opened it. It was the most thoughtful gift I could have ever received. They knew just what I wanted and I couldn't be happier. We said our goodbyes and left my mom in tears. She was happy to have everyone there but sad to see us all leave. As we drove away, I silently cried. It was so hard to leave my mom. It was so hard to not do the things that we normally do. My mom even informed me that my youngest brother cried after we left too. It was just different but it was perfect.

From my mom's we went to Roger's family. Being with the Roses is something that I truly cherish. I love being apart of another family. I love being able to hang out and laugh with a group of people that I love so much. I loved being there with them on Christmas. They do Christmas late and do I mean late! 8:30AM!! At my house, we are done by 7AM! When I came out of my room on Christmas morning, Roger's dad was making muffins for us. It is not something you see everyday! Little did we know, he would forget they were in the oven and they would burn. It would make for great laughs later on though. We opened presents with everyone there, including Roger's grandpa. It was fun to see the excitement on their faces as they opened their favorite gifts. I have such a good relationship with everyone. Christmas was different at their house but I truly did enjoy it. I can't ask for better in-laws! And I just love my new brothers to pieces. God has truly taken me out of a broken home into just the home I needed. He has blessed me beyond words. He is what Christmas is all about. I hope when I look back to Christmas 2010 I will remember what He did in my life.