You know...

...my husband always bursts out laughing when I pull the 'You know' line..... It is usually accompanied by my hand on my hip and sometimes waving an axe with the other hand.  I start this post with this concept because I am hiding behind the guilt of not posting Christmas or anything associated with Christmas.  Not that I don't like the season of ho ho - I try to be positive.... but then the retail word chokes most of the joy out of the very merry holly jolly.  I love lights, English Toffee, and the smells of the fresh air - minus the red level of the Utah diversion... but I have the most serious hang up about not being able to get simple gifts for my children.  I miss those Little People years - the noise, the listening to the little tiptoeing downstairs WAY too early.... It's hard to see the years change.  I love to see them being so understanding about the gift thing.  We draw names, we buy one gift, we move on, we love time together more than things we can buy for each other.  This year we were 100% massively involved with our Inner City Mission families - I have to say - there were miracles upon miracles there.  I cried most of Christmas day at church because, I didn't see one pair of flip flops in December.  There were shoes on most of the little children that day.  Our home ward, and a wonderful bunch of Mrs. Freeman's E.L.F.'s provided so many gifts it took several trips to deliver them.  I cannot go into many of the details but - it was seriously the most amazing thing I've ever seen.  When my emotions are in order - I may post what I am allowed to post, because some of our families are protected and I have to be careful.  Never the less - Pere Noel made quite an appearance at some heart felt, hard hit homes.  That was my Christmas Memory.  Then.... You know.... my funny kids came over that night - with one of my 3 grandkids in tow... The WA grandbabies arrived Christmas night late and we are ParTaEiNg on Wednesday, and Friday, and Saturday and maybe inbetween there also.  I love the dinner table when my kids are all around it.  We are loud, and we talk about body parts, and movie lines, and random insanity that surrounds most of our lives.  We also love to cheat at board games, which will be another post for another day.  Now - when our family gets together - it's always.... what should we fix to eat??  After so many meals together and so many holidays - there are the usual fixin's.  But sometimes I want to get a little off the beaten trail... I've been getting excited about trying some organic, and some semi vegatarian (that means that I won't eat meat, except for In and Out) dishes - because I like the nutty tastes better than the knarled bloody meat adventures.  I enjoyed my soy nog... yes I did... I love my Christmas Eve Yoga - yes I did.... But with the first mention of "Maybe I'll make that meatless lasagna with vegetables and pumpkin and stuff"  I was informed (and you know which kid you are - punker) about the following information:  "Mom - we all remember when you made that and we ALL hated it!"  AAAAHHHH!!!!!!    I can't believe Santa brought you ANYTHING at all when you were children!  Here I am trying to make you healthy - no green boogers, or snotty noses, or hacking throat issues - and you give me that line?!!!!  Well - beware children - because mom has her hand on her hip and the axe in the other - and I'm learning how to say "You Know..." in several languages!  I love that it took 10 years to finally tell me you didn't like it!  I'm making extra brussel sprouts tomorrow for dinner..... I remember saying, "There are children starving in Africa!"  You know.... just like every single mom has done and will do at some point... but apparently - they wouldn't even want this dish!  whatddeva - So for our family celebration this year - I have had a tee shirt made up with this on it...

Or as Grandma June would say...

Eat it or wear it...

(Which I recall my dad doing several times)

So, you know kids... I just love you.  I love that you have tried so hard over the years to not hurt my feelings. (HA!) That you hauled out napkins full of food in your pockets after meals.  That you Googled a place in Africa I could send food. That you are better cooks that I am, and that no matter what, you'll never know how many times I've sneezed in your dinner.

Merry Christmas!

(and yes - those dang family pictures are tomorrow!)