Christmas/ Hooch's birthday

CHRISTMAS!!! This year, I really wanted it to be relaxed and since I've been traveling a lot recently, it was really nice to not have to leave town. I had Christmas with my sister, brother-in-law, 3 nephews and my BIL's brother, Ivan (thanks for hosting us). It's always fun to be with kiddos on Christmas because they are so excited! We had a good time and it was perfect- no stress- and fun. It was nice to have Christmas on Sunday this year as well because at church they sang various Christmas songs and read the Biblical account of the birth of our Savior, which my family usually does on Christmas Eve anyway, but it's nice to have it on the actual celebratory day.
I also "adopted" a family this year for the charity Coins for Kids (thanks sister for delivery it for me) and helped a coworker collect things for another family. I loved how while I was in the stores getting things, I could tell others around me were also getting anonymous gifts. You think you won't spend so much time stressing color, styles, toys etc because you don't know the people, but it was because of that, that I seemed to stress more. I really debated whether or not something was "cool" for the kids and spent more time shopping for them for my own family (given I knew exactly what my family wanted in most cases but still). Other people were in the aisles debating too, and it made me laugh and also feel good. Christmas seems to bring out the best of people! I've adopted families for a couple years now, and it helps put the real meaning of the season in perspective, and...selfishly... I LOVE wrapping gifts! It's seems silly to some (or a chore even- gasp!) but I love love love wrapping. I usually don't give gift cards so I can wrap something hahah. Even if I didn't get to wrap though, I'm grateful that I'm blessed in my life to have not only my needs met but also a surplus to help others. When I was younger our family had more then one Christmas where we were "adopted", and I feel grateful to semi pay that forward.
Christmas is also my sister's (we call each other hooch....I know...I know...seems random but it started off when we were like...? 12ish- 14ish and now it's a term of endearment hahah) birthday, so we did Christmas stuff in the morning, went to church, came home and ate an awesome meal (delicious hooch thanks!) and then switched gears to "birthday" time. I've always thought it would stink to have your birthday on Christmas, but she handles it really well. Just a shout out to the awesomeness of my sister! Seriously, she's one of the very best people that I know. She would shake her head and say that she's not perfect, and no she's not, but she's really striving to be and is a great example to me!! She's a wonderful mom and I kinda keep a mental note of how she handles things so I can remember to do the same when I have kids. I think me living close to her right now is allowing me time to kinda glean/ learn all I can before I have my own kids so I'm more prepared when I do. She's also a great friend to me. I stop over at her house after work a lot and she always listens to the randomness of my day etc. I love living so close to her! I love her so much! She's done so much for me throughout my life- she's been more of a mom sometimes than even a sister. She just always takes care of me. She has a great heart! She's kind and smart and beautiful! I love her so much...I can't articulate that well enough...I KNOW she's one of the greatest gifts the Lord has given me, and I'm grateful she's eternally my sister and friend!
Merry Christmas all =)