BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT

I'm still new at this blog posting thing, so you need to read the post below this so you'll understand this post:  Once you've read it, you can then continue to read on:

I wrote this Thursday, Dec. 17, after spending the previous day at the DB offices:

"I didn't get home til 7 last night.  After leaving the office, I needed to stop down at the DB store and then make a couple stops at Gateway to get things that have to get in the mail today.  The kids knew I needed to make these stops, but didn't know how long it would take me.  I called them as I was leaving the office.  Each of them asked what was for dinner---a typical question for them, but today it made me feel very guilty. 

Marc's been in Mexico all week and it has been a kind of week where I haven't cooked dinner---not once!  (Unless you count take-out Cafe Rio.)  At one point last night I suggested that the kids meet me down at Gateway and we could go to the food court.  They all declined.  I told them how I was sorry I was such a bad mother for not having any ideas for dinner, etc. etc.  They just laughed.

About 6:30, they called (again) to see when I'd be home.  I was just wrapping it up at Gateway.  I drove home feeling exhausted, feeling like a pretty lousy mom, like maybe I wasn't fit to be a "corporate girl" again (which I really already know I'm not).  I walked in loaded down with platters from the work luncheon, computer, shopping bags.....and started to cry. 

My kids were sitting around a beautifully set table waiting for me to sit down....Our meal consisted of BBQ'd steak, funeral potatoes, frozen peach cocktail,etc. (No green salad because they all voted that no one would really eat it anyway).  :)  The kitchen/family room was spotless....which wasn't the way I left it that morning. 

The grins on their faces were priceless!

I told them they had just given me my Christmas present. 

I gladly did those dinner dishes!!!  Miracles happen."

Christmas Elves are alive and well! 

It reminded me of when Marc & I were newly married, living in the love shack duplex on Brookburn.  We were both in school, working, and very busy.  The duplex was getting messier by the day.  For someone who loved having a clean room when I was single, I've never really been able to master that while married!  I remember walking in one night after a very long day and seeing a spotless kitchen and living room! 

On the counter was a note that said:

"Merry Christmas from your Christmas Elves!" 

Mom & Dad gave us the best Christmas present that year.

Thanks Mom, Dad, Megan, Daniel, Amy, & Heidi for creating Christmas magic of your own.

I will ALWAYS believe in Christmas Elves and

Christmas Magic! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!