Every Morning You Greet Me: Post Christmas thoughts

We're getting a blizzard today...or so they say. We'll see what things look like in a few more hours.
(Update at the end of this post--the snow made it!)

But even an impending blizzard is good reason to stop and take a look back, rather than go running out to some after-Christmas sales (as though we don't have enough stuff now, right?)

Christmas is a tough holiday. It's supposed to be a magical season where kids are wide-eyed and amazed by the lights, the decorations, the cookies and the generosity of people. Of course for the adults, it means much stress and pressure to be sure that everyone is happy. Funny how that season of magic often means a very grumpy mama. I'm sure other parents know just what I mean.

And yet when I look back, it was worth it. All of it.

Midnight Mass was every bit as beautiful as it always is. I cried just like I always do. By the end my little girl, the only one who got to sit with me in the pew for Mass (others were serving and reading), knew just when to reach into my pocket and find me a tissue.

After Mass the girls went up and went straight to bed, knowing Santa would soon be here.

They awoke plenty early but politely waited for me to get up. They were patient and grateful as they opened their presents.

We had a really lovely day in our home with grandparents. Once we got up on Christmas day there was no pressure, no stress, just a good relaxing day together.

As it should be. And with the prediction of snow for the day after Christmas, all the better to just have a good visit with family from outside the house before being snowed in with our own family!

Good stuff.

It did snow! At 1:30 am this morning it was raining. By 4 am it was definitely snow. By 8 am it was a gorgeous blanket of snow! Our driveway has upwards of 8" of snow, probably more like 10" While it's hard on the kids being stuck at home, it's been OK. They have plenty of things to keep them busy in between trips out to play. They've been out twice and plan to head out again in a bit.

Pics from around the property: