This morning I texted Nicole with my ideas about what I want to get Addie for Christmas. Then I told her that I never want it to be a hassle for them about which family to spend Christmas with. Nicole has a sister and her husband has a brother and sister and that family is a very close knit family. They plan their holidays way in advance and no one misses their holiday dinners/festivities. So, Nicole’s family then plans their celebrations around when Nicole’s sister can be there and since we’ve never been near enough to be a part of any of the plans, they don’t have to worry about sharing Nicole and her family with us. I told Nicole we can do Christmas lunch or Christmas dinner or even Christmas Eve. I would like to do our first Christmas at our new house but after that, we can go to their house for Christmas or they can come to our house. I’ll be living close enough that I can bring dishes to their house or they can take leftovers home from our house.
I hadn’t really thought about the holidays til this morning. Living here for nine years, I’ve pretty much downplayed the holidays because it wasn’t a lot of fun celebrating with just us. It seemed crazy to cook for two days, have way more leftovers than we’d ever eat, then get up from the table and go do what we always do, with no family to sit around and visit with.
Now that I’ve thought about it and Nicole and I are planning . . I really cannot wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hoping and praying that coronavirus doesn’t get worse to the point that it isn’t safe to visit with family . . though in Texas, we may already be at that point.
Sara Fridley says
Holidays are stressful if you have family NOT willing to compromise on the dates. Sounds like you all have enough flexibility to make it work. I’m excited for you to finally be able to spend a holiday with your loved ones.
Luckily we’ve been able to work around the in-laws too over the years. And since I have very little family at all, we haven’t spend any holidays with anyone on my side in 30 (after my parents died).
Sandi B says
I’m so excited for you!!!
Nelle Coursey says
I think in Texas right now we are at that point. Who knows what a few months will bring us. I am praying it is over soon. For the sake of everyone involved. My best friend’s brother in law has it now. Fortunately she doesn’t have it now, but since he is in the house with them, I am willing to bet she and her daughter get it. Not sure how bad he is right now but they do live here. Really scary when friends for years die from this!
Judy Laquidara says
I have a friend from Louisiana and he’s older than I am but his elderly mother lives with him and he tested positive, then his older brother, his wife and their adult son tested positive, now the elderly mother has tested positive. It’s seems to be so contagious! We’ve done a good job of isolating ourselves but with this move, we’re probably going to be exposed to way more people than we’d like.
wanda jordan says
Well over the years here is what we did to share our daughter and then granddaughter. One of us does Christmas eve and the other does Christmas day. Thanksgiving one does lunch early 11;30 the other does supper 6. Now the other holidays we all get together at different places. No one ever had a problem with two blended families..It will work out just be patient may take a few holidays to settle in. I know you are excited about this move and I’m glad you finally get to be close. It all worked it’s self out in time just like it was suppose to. Someone higher up had a plan all along and the right house just had to come up for sale. We’re going to miss you being here with us in the state of Texas but sometimes you’ve got to go and this is one of those times.
Susan Nixon says
I’d go with Christmas Eve and not have conflicts if they always meet on Christmas day. We always had Christmas Eve dinner to celebrate with friends and missionaries, and then Christmas day was family day – but we had no other relatives coming, it was just our nuclear family. I liked that.
Judy Laquidara says
Nicole’s sister’s husband’s family changes their times up from time to time, depending on what’s happening. Two of the boys work shift work and aren’t always off on Christmas Day so I’ll just be flexible and take what I an get.