Just A Little Longer

I realized during church yesterday morning that the week after Christmas is my most favorite week of the entire year. I guess it's because the kids are out of school and John usually has the week off to spend with us, but I also think it's Christmas preparations are over and we can relax and just enjoy being together for just a little longer.

This is our traditional Christmas Eve photo. John takes one every year of me and the kids in front of the Christmas tree after our Christmas Eve service at church.

I usually take my tree down the day after Christmas. My family thinks I'm just plain grinchy for that. But a small house and a big tree make me feel claustrophobic after awhile. John's parents arrive later today, so in an effort to please everyone and keep it fun and festive the tree is staying up just a little longer. I may or may not make frustrating remarks under my breath every time I walk past it though.

I also want to quit eating rich, sugary, and fattening food. But we're about to enjoy Christmas round #2 so that will have to wait just a little longer also.

I'm hoping my kids will sleep just a little longer this morning. They've been staying up way too late every night. I guess we've let them because we know they'll sleep in. They're all camped out in Will's room this morning...it makes my heart smile that they love doing that. It may not last forever, but I hope it lasts just a little longer.

Ya'll...I am reading the best book. It's The Help by Kathryn Stockett. My sister read it last summer and told me I needed to read it. I had it on hold at our library forever but when it became available I was in St Louis. I forgot to go pick it up before they put it back in circulation. I was watching Good Morning America last week (have I told you that I have a little crush on George Stephanopolous?) and they featured The Help on a "Best Books of 2009" segment. John was standing there and I said, "I really, really want to read that book". He looked at me and said, "Well, I have an advance reading copy in the bookcase downstairs, let me go get it for you". Little did I know that book has been sitting on a bookshelf for well over a year while I had it on hold at the library for 5 months!!! There are some perks to having a husband who works in publishing.

Thanks for letting me chase that rabbit.

The Help is w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l, and I know I'm going to be sad when it ends. Thankfully I have just a little longer to enjoy it...and I'm savoring each page.

I hope each of you had a blessed Christmas. Ours was absolutely perfect! John and I usually don't exchange gifts at Christmas--we'd rather spend all of our money on our kids--but this year he gave me a great gift. A Slanket. Don't laugh. I really, really wanted one. I actually wanted one last year and they were completely sold out and back-ordered. Some of you asked me on Twitter what the difference between a Snuggie and Slanket is. Probably price--ha ha--but here's a comparison.

I absolutely LOVE my gift. It's the gift that keeps on giving since our Colorado winters stretch into spring...so I will definitly be enjoying my Slanket just a little longer!
And because I feel the need to comment on this photo: No, I'm NOT a Texas or Tennessee fan. Yes, there have been way too many pictures of me without makeup posted on the web lately. No, I didn't get a new Macbook for Christmas (John surprised me with it in October)! John posted this pic on Facebook with the caption, "Always wanted to live with a slanky lady". I'm pretty crazy about him...and I love how much he makes me laugh.

As much as I'd like to linger here just a little longer, I must get going and start some laundry and find my mop and get things ready for John's family to arrive. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas...