While out shopping for food with my mom, Stephen spotted a large mug with the most gorgeous paintings of Geishas all around it. Knowing my love for them, he bought it and gave it to me Christmas morning and I’ve been drinking tea out of it ever since then.
It’s beautiful.
Sometimes the impulse buys – the little things you spot that make you smile or think of a memory – those are the best.
He also bought me a bottle of water. Took me a minute to remember but it’s the same water the hotel served on our wedding night.
Little things.
Christmas day was such an amazing day. All the cousins, my grandmother, my family all under one roof. Olivia was [enthralled] with her cousins – Ben, especially. Ben is three and all rambunctious, rumble-tumble boy. He falls and laughs, loves to be swung around upside-down, runs into his brother on purpose, dives into the couch headfirst squealing.
But when it came to Olivia, he was so gentle with her. He calls her “O-leah” and told me very firmly to move so he could sit next to her on the floor. He kisses her head and touches her face and talks to her about important things like crackers and trampolines. And Olivia did not stop grinning at him for a minute the entire time he was there. She grabs at his hair, giggles at him, babbles back and reaches her arms towards him.
It was so precious, I almost cried a few times.
It’s like they [know] they’re family without anyone telling them. That bond is there already.
I want them to all grow up together. And all our future littles as they come over the years.
A whole group of cousins who are best friends and protectors, confidants and playmates.
Wouldn’t that be [magical]?
Our visit will be over in a few days, which always makes me sad. I long for the day when the drive up here is a permanent move and instead of driving 10 hours to return home from my mom’s house, I drive 10 minutes.
Dreams.
Goals.
I have caught myself several times here thinking I need to get all Olivia’s stuff together to go back home in time for bedtime. It just feels so [home] to be here.
I’ve been thinking about New Year’s Resolutions. Most make them and most break them. Sometimes it seems a fruitless endeavor.
However, I want to make a few, in my opinion, attainable goals for the New Year.
I’ll compile a list and get back to you on that one.
How was your Christmas?
