Friday's Simply Smitten

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“Someday we will find what we are looking for. Or maybe we won’t.

Maybe we will find something much greater than that.”

Happy Friday!! I am still very much in vacation mode. I am confused about what day it is, been eating Christmas cookies like calories do not exist, and have been lazily watching tv and movies while lying on the couch. Life is pretty great! I have been in Columbus since Friday morning and am loving every minute of being home.

During my time so far at home has been spent with my family. I have been working out with my sister, spending quality time with my parents, and playing with my niece. This is all I want to do and all I care about doing when I am home. I love my family so much and miss them dearly when I am in New York. The older I get the more I appreciate the quality time I have with them and want to stay present in the moment. We had a wonderful Christmas filled with laughter and love. As I am leaving this weekend to fly back to New York, I want to cherish every moment I have. Making each moment with the ones I love filled with happiness.

Christmas, like I said, was pretty great. We went to church on Christmas eve, but this year we went to the early service, the one held for kids, so my niece could attend with us. The children’s service is always joyful as the kids pretty much run the show. They read the scriptures, sing songs, and act out the nativity scene. It’s pretty cute! After church we have dinner at my parent’s house. We hang out for a while before heading to my neighbor’s house for their annual Christmas Eve party. I always look forward to their party! It’s a chance for me to see a few of my friends and catch up with them. After the party, my parents and I usually watch a Christmas movie; this year we watched It’s A Wonderful Life.

Christmas day has definitely changed throughout the years. Instead of opening our presents right away, we waited until the afternoon to open gifts with my sister, niece, and brother-in-law. During the morning my parents and I had our traditional pancake brunch, then started to get the house ready for my entire family to come over for dinner. Opening gifts was such a joy with my niece. Seeing the excitement on her face is worth more than any gift I received. I did get some good gifts though; a new duvet cover, an Echo Show, blue light blocking glasses, activewear, and more. But my favorite gift is the Star Wars (Storm Trooper) Pez Dispenser that I got in my stocking. I haven’t had one since God knows when, probably not since I was a little kid. Santa really pulled through with the gifts!

The rest of my family came over around 4pm so we could do our annual Gift Wrapping Competition. The theme this year was “Favorite Winter Activity”. My favorite activity is going to see The Nutcracker performance, so I made the gift into a nutcracker. And I won!!!! This means that for next year I get to pick the theme, got chocolates as a 1st prize award, and bragging rights for an entire year. I will go down in history as the 2019 champion! I am pretty proud of the nutcracker that I made, and my grandmother was too! She took him home to display as part of her holiday decor. After the contest we ate dinner– which was delicious!! After dinner and when everyone left, my parents and I watched White Christmas. It is the best holiday movie ever made!

My week hasn’t been all about family gatherings, Sunday evening I went to my friend’s family annual Christmas party. I always look forward to this soirée as I get to catch up with friends, and see people I haven’t seen in a very long time. I had a lot of fun at the party and drank way too much champagne. I am sad all of the festive parties are over but I guess I have NYE to look forward too. My plans are not concrete just yet, but pretty sure I am going to a friend’s house to celebrate.

Before I head back to New York to celebrate NYE, I am spending a few more days here in Columbus. Today I am going to see Star Wars with my dad, sister, and brother-in-law. It has become a tradition for all of us to see Star Wars together. I am SO excited!!! Tomorrow night is the Ohio State vs. Clemson Fiesta Bowl game. It should be a good game! GO BUCKEYES!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend and a happy new year xo

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