Present

If happiness were string I'd be red and white bakers twine. What a December.

I finished an 8-week health challenge AND found a great ab workout. To hit your abs deep down in a place the plank can't touch just be a passenger when Greg turns left out of Costco at rush hour. Greg a.k.a. Jason Bourne in the Moscow Chase brought us safely home with bulk chicken, bulk toilet paper, bald tires, and sore obliques.

I ate the kids' stocking candy in bed and watched The Empire Strikes Back for the first time since I was six. Archer is now officially obsessed with Chewbacca and even prayed for him two nights ago. I'm soaking up the bread crumbs my blonde boy child leaves behind; wrapping paper tube lightsabers, a Hot Wheel next to the nativity manger, a stegosaurus in my purse.

Everett is in his "cooing like a dove" phase and chews on his feet while wobbling back and forth like a Higglytown Hero. His laugh births fairies. I want to cryogenically preserve him at this age. I'll say it again: I had no idea how sweet little boys could be. Kim P was right when she told me I'd love my boys differently than I loved my girl.

I didn't send Christmas cards because I'm saving my efforts and postage for a "We've Moved" card, bought jeans for the first time in four years, ate out a bunch because I didn't feel like cooking, and lit the world with small acts of service. I also mustered the bravery to try mint hot chocolate. It didn't taste like toothpaste one bit. It was rather delicious.

Watched: It's a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Barbie's A Christmas Carol, The Grinch, Berenstain Bears Christmas Tree, The Family Man, Polar Express

Left to Watch: Little Women, Christmas in Connecticut, George C. Scott's A Christmas Carol, Narnia, All I Want For Christmas

What I love about life is despite my best laid plans and calendaring skills a Moment (capital M moment...the kind you'll remember forever) happens when I least expect it. I picked RE up from a party at 11 and decided to put my life in her hands and let her drive us home. Yes, she wore her permit in her pocket to a party. I've only driven with RE once and it was a near death experience that included me screaming GUN IT! GUN IT! GUN IT! while she screamed back WHAT DOES GUN IT MEAN? The streets were deserted so she cruised Main Street, squealing all the way because it's been her life's dream to do so. We glided under the tinsel HAPPY HOLIDAYS and SEASONS GREETINGS and practiced left turns until we were dizzy from making squares. An impromptu midnight photo shoot at Robinson Park's Dr. Seuss tree trunks topped off our Stars Hollow hour. Back home there was some snacking from the hoards of neighbor goodies and then my sugar crash/adrenaline rush (the adrenaline overrode the sugar) kicked in at 2 am. At that point I saw the light at the end of the Christmas tunnel and glittered and typed my last few projects. I only slept three hours before Everett woke up but my personal satisfaction made it feel like eight.

All month I've been thinking of something my friend Carly posted on her IG account in November. She said I STILL REMEMBER THE DAYS I PRAYED FOR THE THINGS I HAVE NOW. I remember those days like they were yesterday. I am ever aware I have the things I prayed for...and then some! I have learned to acknowledge by praying for children I technically also prayed for small tornados to whiz through my home and leave rainbow IKEA silverware, blankies, bristle blocks, and backpacks in their wakes. I prayed to buy fruit snacks and diapers for two at Costco. I prayed for perpetually puffy-yet-sunken eyes that reject concealer. I prayed to be stretched out and worn thin in my brain and on my skin.

My old roommate Heater, who never lacks for wisdom, passed on a great quote in her Christmas card: GRATITUDE TURNS WHAT WE HAVE INTO ENOUGH. I love this, like LOVE to the 88th power. I'm thankful we're still at 680 West where things are familiar and timeworn. The Draney's gingerbread lights glow through our bedroom window and the ducks quack from the cattails. I'm thankful for friends who give offerings that show they know the real me. I'm thankful I'm young enough to change but old enough to have a bit of wisdom. I'm thankful for Greg: the only man on earth who could tame this shrew. Most of all, I am thankful for my Heavenly Father, the Giver of All Things Good, and his Son, my Savior Jesus Christ who made All Things Bad bearable, All Things Wrong fixable, All Things Priceless keepable (made that word up), and All Things In Store receivable.

It is a wonderful life.