Lesson #27: New traditions set in

There is not a holiday I love more than Christmas.  Everything about it (except for the song "Christmas Shoes") holds a special place in my heart.  Most of that love probably came from my beautiful Mom who adores Christmas, too.  The tree, ornaments, Christmas movies, cheesy songs (besides the aforementioned cheese terror claiming to be a song), the whole shebang.  I can't get enough of it.  Like my Mom, if there aren't Christmas decorations up over Thanksgiving week, my mood does tank.  All of that to say, Christmas rocks my socks off.

This year, things have to be a little different.  The normal holiday traditions that I love taking part in, some will have to happen without me.  I didn't get to be at my parents' house to put up and decorate the main Christmas tree.  That's right, there's more than one tree.  We won't be at my family's church for Christmas Eve.  I won't wake up in my parents' house for Christmas morning.  It's going to be weird.

Do I love Lyndon?  Absolutely.  Am I thrilled to celebrate our first Christmas together?  Of course.  Am I ready to give up family traditions in lieu of new ones that Lyndon and I should start together?  No.  I don't think I ever will.  So while life goes on and new traditions are started, my heart will always have a sad spot where family Christmas traditions once were.

I may or may have just teared up.

Lesson #26: In-laws can be in-loves

The husband and I recently returned from a trip to Tennessee.  Not only was it simply a regular family gathering on his side, it was a family gathering of all children and grandchildren and grandparents for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It was insanity; blissful insanity.  Every space was usually taken up by someone's stuff, they brought out the camper for Lyndon and I and his parents to sleep in, toys were all over no matter how often they were picked up, there were only two bathrooms, and food and love were everywhere.

Admittedly, I was a bit apprehensive at first.  My family and I are incredibly close, so family holidays are very important to me (especially since good 'ole Bruce ditched us early).  The Griner side is definitely my family, but there's just something about the ones who raised you.  It's as though I like them or something.  Anyway...vera...

I got over that very quickly when I realized I would be getting to spend so much time with my new family.  Not just people who I hoped I could impress; my actual, true family.  All of the love that I was getting from my family, I was getting from people just as wonderful.  Things I learned about my new family:

Dayla and Danielle - Incredibly strong mothers providing me with even more evidence that I'm not ready for motherhood any time soon.

Travis - Apparently, he doesn't like the Vikings.

Drew - Give his nephew a toy that involves construction and building, and he might like it more than his nephew.

Deondra - Has the same heart as me for cheap shopping and unique things other people wouldn't like.

Laura and David - The best host/hostess I've ever had the privilege to be a guest for.  Always there with anything you could ever need.

Grandma and Grandpa Griner - Puzzle lovers to the core.

Grandma and Grandpa Kelley - They have puzzles that I'll never figure out.

Brilee - SUPER MARIO BROTHERS!  And if you triple dog dare him, he'll go down a slide that's soaked.

Naomi - She has a really awesome mo-hawk if you give her a Pebbles hairdo, and she's a total ham.

Brooklyn - Baby doll lover, bacon carrier, and goober.

My heart aches.  I miss them so much already.  We haven't even been home for all that long.

I'm stealing a term I picked up from some very dear friends of mine: I don't have in-laws; I have in-loves, and I can't wait until I get to see them again.