a very merry christmas

There are just too many things I want to remember from this year.  I can't possibly write about everything so I'm just going to record key words to help me remember.  This Christmas has probably been my favorite that I can remember since I was a little girl.  Each Christmas has something that makes is special and unique but this one was special because of my children.  I feel so blessed.  Jackson was old enough to remember things from previous years, anticipate it, and get really excited about it.  Because Jackson got excited without us telling him to be, Sam got really into it as well.  Of course, Eva was too little to know what was going on but just having her around helped contribute to the "family" feel of things.  Us Barnes' are growing in numbers.  It makes me happy to share time with and create traditions that will continue to unite and strengthen us for years to come.  I feel like this Christmas we enjoyed old traditions and started some that I hope we will keep up for years to come.

I want to remember... the advent calendar.  the little people nativity set.  sam being able to answer very basic "what is christmas about" questions.  the santa hats--both on heads and as decorations.  dr. seuss's The Grinch.  Jackson playing "Jingle Bells" in chords on the piano.  making the tongue sound after singing jingle bells like in the christmas story movie.  jackson looking through the toys catalog and circling almost everything--one time he actually exclaimed "wow, I want everything on this page!".  Sam looked at the same catalog and asked for 3 things, one of which he already had.  the reassurance we felt after deciding that we would give one toy and santa would give one toy.  wanting to buy every toy we saw.  buying grandma's gifts to the boys and santa's gifts on black friday online. standing in line at walmart for a new tv for mom and dad on black friday.  carts full of crock pots and tupperware clanging through the aisles.  the screams of shoppers trying to fight for their items when the sale started at 10pm.  rachel running out the door victoriously holding up her printer.  the christmas lights brent put up on our house.  the empty hooks left on our advent calendar as the days passed.  the oak ridge christmas parade with all of its candy glory and its meager "floats".  having the house really clean for Kate Blocher's baby shower.  moving the third couch into the living room and feeling like the room doubled in size.  muddy buddies in mason jars for friends/neighbor gifts.  when we felt like we were skimping sam, asked him what he wanted for christmas and he told us two things we were getting him...mater and a ride on a train.  sam changing his mind what he wanted for christmas 6 days before to a captain 'merica shield.  rejoicing when brent said ok to getting the 'merica shield.  jackson changing his mind of what to ask for santa to something we had already purchased.  super cleaning the house for my family to come up.  forgetting to buy food when my family came up.  going to dollywood. eva's "snow bunny" suit.  jackson seeing the tram and saying "well mom, i really thought there would be more rides than just this one."  realizing sam sulks when he's really cold. riding the train at dollywood and mom and i began to cry at the "magic."  proving to the family that carousels make adults sick.  brent and jackson in the bumper cars.  jackson and sam riding their first roller coaster.  the lights.  the lights. and more lights.  eating dinner at granny's all you can eat.  santa visiting our table.  feeling like dollywood at christmas should be a yearly tradition--it is amazing.  kissing brent in front of the dollywood sign.  sacrament before christmas meeting was  very spiritual--becca on the violin and the marlowe's singing.  sevierville condo.  sam and hannah tearing through every room exploring and climbing and laughing and jumping.   the aquarium.  the turtles and sharks swimming above us.  ice skating.  sam pushing his skating walker away and saying "i don't want to ice skate anymore" then quietly sulking the rest of the time.  jackson quickly getting back up every time he fell.  christmas eve dinner.  christmas eve singing and scriptures.  laughing with the boys watching home alone for the first time.  hurriedly putting out santa's cookies and rudolph's carrots. wrapping 15 individual hot wheels and 15 individual pairs of socks.  watching "It's a wonderful life" in color.  walking in the boys room christmas morning and them both immediately sitting straight up and saying "santa came" "Its christmas!".  Jacksons disappointment that santa gave socks, again.  sam hugging every gift he opened.  the victory jumping after every race on the hot wheels 6 lane raceway.  skyping with brittany.  watching bryant open his gifts on skype.  singing to sister flambers with the youth and trying to convince jackson that it was worthwhile.  watching a christmas story.  falling asleep on the couch as soon as the boys went to bed.  realizing i wasn't awake enough to drive home.  walking into the bonus room and finding them playing with their old toys.  building a car with jacksons lego city gift from grandma dee--so many tiny pieces!.  loading up the nerf guns and wanting nothing more than to start shooting the boys but i didn't.  pondering on my happy happy happy memories.  writing a blog that i'm sure is longer than what anybody wants to read but hopefully will help me remember another day.