Inevitably, Givar, 2019

Givar, winter, 2019
Brandon is 41, Ilila is 40, Jude and Brooklyn are 10; Audrey is 7, Victor is 1

I have so much to be thankful for this Christmas.

Brandon is back safe and sound from the war,

our children are happy and healthy and our marriage is strong.

I went shopping with Jasmine for some last minute holiday items. It was nice to be able to relax without the children. We visited a local toy shop where they had Santa visiting.

It was a smart idea, Santa would listen to the kids and what they wanted for Christmas, then hand the children a small cookie and their parents a coupon to use on a future purchase at the store.

I suppose the store was named Best of the Best due to ideas like that. We picked up a few toys for our children and even some for Jasmine's granddaughter.

Since Jasmine has older adult children as well, we went to the local department store. Not only did we pick up items for them, but we also picked up some things for us from Santa. Hey, if we don't buy them, who will? I got a new juicer, since I've been wanting to try the new juicing trend. Anything that promises glowing skin and radiant hair is a winner in my book. Especially since I've seen to inherited a bunch of wrinkles on my face seemingly overnight.

We shared coffee and chatted. Inevitably our discussion turns to work.

Jasmine is a great teacher and I think she would do great

if she ever wanted to go into the administrative side of things.

She says that she's more than happy teaching the younger children and they seem to adore her.

After coffee we separated and I went to the Farmer's Market to pick up my orders for Christmas dinner. Thankfully it wasn't too full when I arrived and I was able to pick up some other fresh items. I'm a pretty skilled cook, however I know my limitations and making a holiday roast is part of my limitations.

The last time I tried it, I burned it and vowed never again. Besides, Brandon distracted me and that's why it stayed in the oven so long.

Christmas Eve we made cookies together as a family, well, the kids mostly decorated the cookies and ate at least half of them.

We also sang songs, took a family photo and watched a classic holiday movie on our new TV. The new TV is another part of the changes we have been making to the house. Since Brandon returned, the housing prices have skyrocketed. Even if we wanted to move, we would have to pay at least double in order to get a smaller house. That's just does not make any financial sense. At least not now. Yes, we have four children and three bedrooms, but the children are fine with sharing a room. Maybe someday we might have to bite the bullet and move, maybe closer to the schools since now the commute is quite a pain.

Thankfully we live on "Teacher's Row" as we affectionately call it, since all of our neighbors are teachers. If we move I would miss them, unless I can convince them all to move to a closer neighborhood with me. Even though our families have all outgrown the row-homes, we have each made modifications to our home rather than move away. Part of our modifications included getting a fireplace installed, but Krissy, who has six children, recently had her row-home extended up a level and she tapped into the third floor storage space to create a master suite. It's such a great neighborhood. We are walking distance to parks and even Brooklyn's dance studio.

Which is a good thing because she is now in the advanced classes and she has even been competing in some local ballet competitions. Her teacher thinks that soon she will need private lessons and she's not even a teenager. I suppose Brandon and I will have a lot to discuss if she wants to continue ballet since a lot of dancers with her skills tend to join dance companies at an early age. I hope she will be able to wait until she's at least 18.

On Christmas Day, we opened presents from Santa. Jude and Brooklyn know that we buy the presents, but they won't spoil the magic for their siblings. It has been really sweet watching them interact.

Everyone enjoyed their presents and I even made a delicious juice recipe using some fresh produce from the farmer's market.

 I didn't feel much younger or that my wrinkles disappeared, but I did feel more intelligent.

I took Jude next door since he had made a Christmas gift for Isabella, Krissy's daughter. I thought it was so sweet watching him anxiously hand over his gift.

Brandon said that he is not looking forward to the day when some boy knocks on our door in order to give Brooklyn or Audrey presents.

That evening we enjoyed our Christmas dinner together before bedtime.

I enjoy this time of the year so much.