The Day After Christmas

The day after Christmas.

He was born, and brought home in a small red Christmas stocking. I don't have any pictures of this, because his baby pictures are still in his mother's home. I am told he was a cranky baby who cried a lot and had skinny "bird legs". Maybe he had an impatient streak even then. The legs have filled out nicely.

The day after Christmas.
A hard day for a birthday. Everyone gets presents, not just you. Everyone is sick of sweets, so the birthday cake doesn't seem so grand. But he never seems to mind. It is still a special day.

We met in the summer. We were 17. It's okay, you can laugh at my big, permed 80's hair. Isn't HE cute, though? Check out that ready smile and those twinkly eyes. Oh, and don't forget the ARMS! Yes, I am a sucker for strong arms, and I tell you what, I am still in love with those arms. They turn me to jello.

It was the day after Christmas, we were still dating, and he asked me to the movies. As we went through the ticket line, I noticed his ex-girlfriend was the one to give us our tickets. This made my stomach turn a little, but it was nothing compared to how I felt when she looked up at him with obvious adoration, completely ignoring my hand in his and said, "Happy Birthday Trevor!"
Uhhhh. Birthday? I didn't know. Or...I forgot. All I remember is feeling foolish and guilty, it should have been ME to wish him a happy birthday! Ugh. Double Ugh.

Fast forward a few years, the day after Christmas. We were driving around running errands. After my incessant whining, he turns to me and says, "Let's just drive to the hospital and see if we can get a room". I'm game. And what do you know, they gave us a room! Five hours later, he turns to me and says, "This is the best birthday present I have EVER received". He is holding our new daughter in his arms, and I can tell he is more than thrilled to share his special day with someone else. His own little girl. Now we have two "day after Christmas" birthdays to celebrate in our family.This year we decided to get a jump on the birthday festivities. It is not yet the day after Christmas, but we got the chance to gather with friends for dinner. We had such a wonderful time. Thank you Benoits, Despains, Halversons, Hickmans, Heidens, Lees, & Madsens for helping us celebrate! He enjoyed himself so much, we both did. It couldn't have been a better gift.




The day after Christmas we will celebrate again with family, and I can't wait.

He is certainly and most definitely something to celebrate!

Merry Christmas AND Happy Birthday Trevor! You are loved!

busy little hands

My little girls excitedly asked Trev & I if they could get a little tree for their room this year. They had such big plans on how to decorate it themselves.

We took them to the store where they picked out a small but lovely white tree with white lights. Perfect for a little girls room.

We brought the small tree home, where they carefully helped me assemble it, moving the laundry basket to make room for "their" tree. Oh were they delighted.
And then they disappeared.

Where did they go? They were busy for hours.
They spent the time cutting, pasting and giggling. They made round paper ornaments, Spongebob ornaments, "I love you" ornaments to name a few. And Skylar made quite a few origami candycanes, stockings, stars and even a cute little Santa-in-a-Chimney ornament (she loves origami). Oh, and I can't forget the yellow construction paper star for the top.Result? Here's the cutest tree I have ever seen. Ever.

The Michaels Man

What do you get when you cross a sombrero, a harmonica and The Salvation Army?

I found out a couple of days ago as I was entering our local Michael's craft store.

I made it a goal this year to put some money into every Salvation Army persons bucket this year, even if it was just small change. You see them at EVERY store now. So far I have been given a mumbled thank you, and maybe a small smile. No problem, doesn't discourage me in any way.

BUT...what a breath of fresh air the Michael's man was! As I approached Michael's from the parking lot, I started to hear music. Not really a tune I could put my finger on, but a pleasant sound, nonetheless. After putting my keys in my purse, I looked up to see a short, hispanic man wearing a huge colorful sombrero. He was smiling the biggest smile I have ever seen as I approached the Salvation Army bucket. He was wearing the red apron, but was not ringing the traditional bell. I put my money in, and he looked me right in the eye (I am a short white person) and said in broken English, "God bless you! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!" He then lifted a harmonica to his lips, and started to play a random tune as he walked back and forth in front of the store.

I was caught off guard! I was smiling from ear to ear! How wonderful! Everyone around me was smiling as well, and he offered a "God Bless You", or "Merry Christmas" to everyone who came within a few feet of him.

I don't know about you, but I rarely hear those words from people outside my circle of friends and family. Perhaps they think they will offend me in some way. I was not offended. I was made cheerful.

And that is what you get when you cross a sombrero, a harmonica, and The Salvation Army.