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It's over, right? The week of joy, peace and fighting for parking spots at the mall has finally come to a close? Honestly? Although there were moments of extreme stress, fear and discord, there were also some moments of extreme peace and clarity. Overall, it was a good week!
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The weather here has been ... well ... frightful. We've had snow - LOTS - then an ice storm last night and tomorrow? Temps nearing 50 degrees, rain, and 18" of snow to melt - UGH!
In spite of the weather challenges, Cam and I made it to Christmas Eve services at church (a wonderful production), finished up our Christmas shopping and managed to catch a movie (Seven Pounds - not an uplifting Christmas movie) on Christmas Day!
In spite of the weather challenges, Cam and I made it to Christmas Eve services at church (a wonderful production), finished up our Christmas shopping and managed to catch a movie (Seven Pounds - not an uplifting Christmas movie) on Christmas Day!
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I am quite proud of Cam! He asked for one item for Christmas (the iPod that was being held hostage) and that one item was under the tree. There was one other small thing for him, but he was thrilled! He got it right this year - it wasn't about quantity but about knowing that he was important enough and loved enough to receive the one item he wished for. That was the best gift that I could have received this year!
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For those of you with kids who cannot drive, or remember those days, how do you handle gifts? I found it odd that I took Cam out to buy gifts for husband, step-brother and step-sister, but husband did not take Cam out to do any shopping. If you are reading between the lines, yes - that means there was nothing under the tree for me - nothing from Cam - nothing from husband. This is not said to evoke pity or sadness. Quite the contrary, it was one of those moments of clarity that I spoke of earlier.
One more gift question ...
Those of you with blended families - how do you handle gift giving? Do you give gifts to all of the children as parents/step-parents, or do you give gifts to the kids from each of the adults? I was quite surprised to learn that I was expected to give gifts to my step-kids - that those husband purchased were not from both of us. Needless to say, they felt quite "forgotten" by me. The iPod that I purchased for Cam? The gift tag was signed from both husband and me.
Yes, there were many moments of clarity and many gifts received that the giver wasn't even aware he was giving.
One more gift question ...
Those of you with blended families - how do you handle gift giving? Do you give gifts to all of the children as parents/step-parents, or do you give gifts to the kids from each of the adults? I was quite surprised to learn that I was expected to give gifts to my step-kids - that those husband purchased were not from both of us. Needless to say, they felt quite "forgotten" by me. The iPod that I purchased for Cam? The gift tag was signed from both husband and me.
Yes, there were many moments of clarity and many gifts received that the giver wasn't even aware he was giving.
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