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How We Spent Christmas 2020

first Christmas ornament

Happy Tuesday, friends! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that it was everything you needed it to be this strange year. We were supposed to host Christmas at our house, but our plans changed at the last minute, but it wouldn’t be 2020 if that didn’t happen. Am I right?

Christmas 2020

My in laws decided not to come because they wanted to be safe, and I honestly don’t blame them. This is the year where everyone needs to make the best decisions for themselves. I can’t say that I wasn’t disappointed. I’ve never spent Christmas away from any sort of family before. I’ve always either flown home to see my parents in California – or we go to Belton to spend time with Aaron’s family.

first Christmas ornament

But, flexibility and adaptability have been the name of the game this year. So, instead of letting the feelings of disappointment and sadness creep in, I decided to embrace what our normal was this year. And you know what, it turned out to be everything we needed.

jingle juice

I enjoyed lots of “Jingle Juice” in the mornings. That’s code for mimosa.

Christmas star

To say that we have been burning the candle at both ends these last couple of months would be an understatement. We have been working our days jobs – and trying to get our new house put together. And while both of these things are tremendous blessings in our lives, we haven’t spent much downtime. And this last week, we finally got to embrace the art of doing literally nothing. It was glorious. We got out on a walk to see the “Christmas Star.” I don’t know what that blue orb is, but the star is the very top spot in the photo.

Christmas treats

I dropped off my fun treats to some of our friends. I had lunch with two of my girlfriends, which was Good. For. My. Soul. Let me say that again for the people in the back who didn’t hear me. It was so refreshing to sit out on a patio, have some wine and some lunch with two of my friends who I don’t see on a regular basis these days because…Covid.

houston arboretum

I took some “me time,” and went to get my eyebrows done for the first time in months. Aaron and I watched a whole bunch of Christmas movies. We made a trip to the Houston Arboretum. And, we lounged on the couch most days until about noon. Yes – we are adults (tired ones).

Addicks

Christmas Day 2020

We spent Christmas Day going for a 6-mile walk while our turducken cooked, caught up with friends and family over the phone – and really just enjoyed the here and the now. Because we have so much to be thankful for.

turducken
layers of turducken
Formal dining room

I did pull myself together enough to make Christmas dinner for Aaron, myself and our friend who is Jewish – and was up for enjoying a nice dinner. I still made my turducken, and we still exchanged gifts and spent some quality time together. The turducken was absolutely delicious, and if you are local, you can find one at Hebert’s. Just as easy to cook as they say!

Golden retriever

We spent tons of quality time with my pups!

Most importantly, I had some time set aside to truly appreciate the reason why we celebrate: the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was sent to bring us hope and peace and joy that can only come from him. And to release some of that brokenness we can sometimes feel as humans. It is life changing to know Him and to love Him. And friends, I desperately needed to be reminded of that message during our Christmas Eve service at church. This year has been filled with a lot of darkness and anguish, loneliness and despair for a lot of people, and Jesus can help you realize true peace amidst these very challenging circumstances.

So, thank you for bearing with me during an abnormal Christmas post, but these are abnormal times. Here’s to looking forward to the end of 2020, which has had its share of highs and lows.

Thanks for sticking with me through this long post. In short, our Christmas was anything but conventional this year, but I’m so glad we had the time to relax and recharge our batteries. I’m back at work for a modified week, but I’ll leave you with this meme, which describes my husband and his Christmas clothes perfectly.

baby Yoda meme

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