Andrea Y. Griffith

The last week has been a whirlwind of family and friends coming and going. A couple days after Christmas, Telfer's family began to trickle back to the airport and the train station. Then Molly and Ryan came all the way from Brooklyn to spend the night with us. We made really good salmon and drank wine. A good night. A few hours later my parents stayed 36 hours with us. So fun even though the girls were both slightly out of sorts – one has gas and the other has age-related issues. I'll leave the details to your imagination.

The weather has been clear and bright and cold and Mom & I got a good long walk in to downtown. We made an amazing steak dinner for New Year's Eve Eve. And now, in a couple of hours, RaChelle & Paul & Claire are coming over to spend the night. As our usual, I am making chili and cinnamon rolls to watch with football. Sounds just about perfect.

I love this time of year. I love living close enough to see my favorite people. But I must admit, I am looking forward to Monday, the first real day of this New Year. I am going to put my Christmas baubles away. I am going to organize all my closets. I am going to resolve to do a few things a little differently this year. My very detailed list includes: sleep train baby Jane, potty train Miss Cate, run on the treadmill three times a week, buy and stock a freezer (more later), blog at least twice a week, plan my meals a little more successfully, manage our home and our money in a peaceful and deliberate manner. You know, just the little stuff! I love that God gives us fresh beginnings.

Christmas Eve

stealing a few moments of quiet
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

I have a small pocket of time to get a bunch of fun last-minute Christmas things done. Cate is taking a nap but we are going to wake her up in about 30 minutes to get ready for the early Christmas Eve service at church. She gets to open two presents before we go: a pink Christmas dress and a navy blue peacoat. Jane will also wear a new pink and grey dress with grey patent leather shoes (a present from Missy & Jason).

It’s been a good day so far. We opened the last little box on our Advent calendar. FOUR m&m’s instead of two. Cate was delighted. We also have been singing “Angels We Have Heard on High” all morning with special emphasis on the “Gloria” part. If you know how well I sing you are probably grinning by now but no matter. Cate thinks her mama sings just fine.

Our Christmas Eve dinner, cassoulet, is pretty much done. All I have to do is add fresh breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese and then pop in the oven for 45 minutes. Telfer just got home from doing a big heart case and hopefully is done for the day. The two of us are looking forward to a nice meal together after church and the girls are in bed. I am hoping to finish the last Harry Potter tonight before bed. I get so teary-eyed when it comes to Harry.

We are having a delightful time with family. Tomorrow we will spend the whole day at Chris & Mendy’s with various family members. Henry might even come.

Merry Christmas to all of you. We hope you are surrounded by friends and family. We also hope you experience the peace and joy that comes only from our Lord Jesus.

This picture was taken by Eleanor during the middle of a boisterous family gathering. Cate was starting to get a little fussy and overwhelmed so Telfer set her up in our den with a few books. A bit of quiet in the midst of a bit of chaos. May you all experience a similar moment in the next few days.

Happy Saturday

I took these this morning in between enjoying Jane and finishing The Half-Blood Prince. Telfer is so nice to me.

We have had a good week. Yesterday Cate and I saw two deer out our dining room window and we haven't stopped talking about it since. Fun. Telfer and I are watching Christmas movies – this week we watched White Christmas and Love Actually. Telfer's family starts trickling in on Sunday. Love this time of year.