Awaiting the Real Christmas Eve

Tonight all around the world, everyone everywhere, is celebrating Christmas Eve and kids are all nestled in their beds awaiting Santa's arrival.

In our home the kids are curling up in their beds but there are no signs yet of Santa's visit on this night.

Santa will come back for us, in three days time on December 28th....at least that's what we're hoping and wishing...he seems to understand those with the residency/call schedule situations. ;-)

It used to be no big deal to move dates and holidays around and shift things as needed, but the kids are getting older.  They understand and worry now about whether or not Santa will make it and not forget about coming back for them.  They remember so much-our traditions, the food we eat, the movies we watch, the way each holiday is done-it's all such a big deal to them, so much apart of their childhood. 

They've been assured that Santa has been told and that he knows he's making a special trip back.  Winky (our elf) has been reminded to take the message back each night to the North Pole.  Hailey even saved her reindeer food to sprinkle on the driveway when they return as a "Christmas Bonus" for the reindeer's return.

We've learned as a family, over the past eight years, that dates and holidays are what you make of them...not so much about when the world around celebrates them.  They are no longer celebrated by a date on the calendar, but are best created around Ammon's work schedule in hopes that he gets to share in just as much joy as the kids do.   It's my goal that they won't so much remember how many calendar dates we switched during their childhood, but that Ammon was present (awake) and there to join in.

It's not all bad....I get three more bonus days to get wrapping done, which has been a slow process this year due to the Braxton Hicks I get when I wrap on the floor.  Tomorrow won't feel so rushed since Ammon still has to go in and round early in the morning and we'll get to enjoy the one hour of church and seeing friends.  Two days POST Christmas to find any last minute deals I might have forgotten.

 ;-) Three days more for a couple of packages to arrive that didn't make it by today. Two extra days to make homemade gingerbread men to decorate and reward Santa with (still haven't gotten to that yet).  And the anticipation gets to last a little bit longer....

But my personal favorite thing marked by this calendar date?  Our baby girl should arrive in exactly one month from today...one month from Christmas Eve....the same day my cute nephew celebrates his first birthday.  That alone is anticipation enough....