Twenty-Three

 

Twenty-three years! I'm grateful that 23 years ago we knelt across the altar from each other in the Toronto Temple and promised to build a life together and goodness what a life! I'm so grateful for the life we've built together. 

(Next year before taking our anniversary pic I will brush my hair - even though it isn't a big deal, looking at my hair in this pic is making me nuts lol. I think my favourite anniversary pic of us is 2020. I think.)

In other news. Ken and the girls finished his Christmas puzzle. (Not pictured, Kate - she did do helping too.)

Being silly with my Ken! Oof I love him!!

McCartney Family Christmas

Today was McCartney Family Christmas hosted by Lisa and Ken. I promised myself, before we left, that I would take pictures. I did sort of okay. I did not get a pic of Maureen or Kristen - total oversight, ugh. Anyway, we had a lovely time visiting with family. I love chatting with everyone and catching up.

This year Ken made wooden boxes for all of the girls, and chess boards for the grown men. They're beautiful pieces. I'm not sure where I'm going to put my box, or what I'm going to put in it, but the girls all loved them 

After every McCartney family visit, I think, I like these people, why don't we visit more often?! But here's the thing, I don't plan on moving, and neither does anyone else, I always enjoy the visits, but never the drive lol.

It's funny, I'm already looking forward to next year's visit, because I hope Lisa's daughter Sarah, husband Ken and baby girl Isla will be there next year. Isla will be over a year, but it will be fun to see them! Hopefully Greta and Brendan will come too, no idea what their family plans include, but maybe they'll have someone extra to bring next year?! 

When we got home Kate and Milo were waiting for us. Kate had the opportunity to to go out with friends this afternoon and we told her to go for it. She'd been wanting a friend outing so badly and this seemed to be the only thing her friends would be planning.

Christmas

When does Christmas end and begin - if we're talking the season of Christmas and not just the day... and do I just post about the day, or the season? 

Next question, what do I want to remember about this Christmas of 2025. 

A couple of weeks ago as I was headed out the door Ken told me that he was thinking that he might take the day off to do some Christmas shopping - online for the most part, but some in person. I was a little sad, thinking I should take a day too, but I phoned him back during my drive and told him to just go ahead, take the day, shop. The girls are great at giving us a Christmas list, which is super helpful. I had made a spreadsheet, and Ken and I had talked about shopping, but hadn't really done anything about it. What is the point of all of this? I want to remember how awesome Ken was. He did most of the shopping for Christmas this year.

I want to remember how much fun it was watching the girls open their stockings. I want to remember how much fun it was watching Ken open his stocking and how much fun I had opening my stocking - not knowing what was in it.

I want to remember the fun of sitting as a family, the five of us, taking turns opening gifts. I want to remember how happy all the girls were receiving all of their gifts. I want to remember watching them open the gifts they picked out for each other. It was all just really happy!

I want to remember the piece of Christmas sheet music that I saw while walking the dog.

I want to remember Alice's cute Minecraft Lego creation.

Andrew wearing his most awesome Christmas sweater - our gift to him on his birthday last year.

Mom opening her Christmas present from me - her picture calendar with all the birthdays.

I want to remember that even though Ken wasn't feeling the greatest the night before, he had the energy to make an amazing meal for his family. 

I want to remember a beautiful sunset glow when I took Milo for his second walk, thinking about my dear friend Shawn and her sweet Mama who is getting very ready to leave this frail existence. 

Fun sister Lego time - a present from Suzanne and family.

How thankful I am to have a brother close by, and what a good fun uncle he is.

Watching Mr. Bean with Kate and both of us falling asleep and Ken capturing the moment.

I am thankful for a lovely Christmas at home filled with the people and food that I love. I thankful that we have the resources to provide our children with a fun Christmas. I'm grateful that we can share Christmas Day with my Mom and CJ and Andrew and that Stella could come to dinner. I'm grateful most of all for my Savior Jesus Christ, for His humble birth, His atoning sacrifice and the peace, comfort, forgiveness and strength that are available to us all year round.