My Grown Up Christmas List

I am sure we have all heard the Christmas song, My Grown Up Christmas List.

I was driving home from work yesterday and heard this on the radio. (Yes, I am one of the nerds who listens to the Christmas Station.) I have become very weepy and sentimental since I found out I was expecting my daughter. Needless to say, when I truly listened to the words of this song, I choked back a the tears. I am such a sap! As I thought about they year I have had, I realized just how these wishes had come to fruition or were something I was still praying for.

I was the kid in school who loved to believe in Santa! I remember being sad the day I figured it out, but excited I still got to fake it for my younger brothers. There was something magical about Christmas when you really believed in Santa. Watching out the car window as you drove home Christmas Eve to look for Rudolph's nose and running to the living room when you got home to see if he had visited while you were away (obviously he never did). I am looking forward to seeing the magic of Christmas in the Girl's eyes when she is old enough to grasp the concept of Christmas. :D

On to the lyrics:

"No more lives torn apart" and "Time would heal all hearts" really speak to the Dad coming back into my life after being gone for 6 years. It's a long story (that I can't rehash without bursting into tears) but seeing him, and speaking to him the last two months have been great. Every little girl has a Daddy shaped hole that only he can fill. Mine was empty for a long time and it has been so great to feel that void closing. Santa already gave me a Chrsitmas gift when I saw him playing with my daughter for the first time. As a little girl, I loved hearing him play the guitar. That twang still sings in my head. He was introducing her to that same sound and again, I choked back tears. (Uh oh, here I go again...) This year I am very thankful for thousands of answered prayers to have my Dad back!

"That everyone would have a friend" makes me so greatful for the wonderful friends and family we have. At the Girl's birthday party this weekend, I had to take a step back and realize just how many people cared about my little family. The Hubby and I are so blessed, and we know it! It makes me think about a song from Girl Scouts back in the day, "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other's gold." That has been my year. We have made great new friends in our Sunday School class and I love hanging out with them. At the same time, I got to hang out with my best friend of 20 years (wow, that makes me sound old) this weekend after it being nearly a year since we had seen each other because of crazy schedules. It warms my heart to feel the love of friends who might as well be family. (I love you, J!)

"That love would never end." Does that really need explaining? I love the Hubby, the Girl more than I ever thought a person could. My prayer is for it to continue to grow exponentially. For the love of my Savior to continue to grow in my heart. For my family, ... for my friends,.. for their relationships. I know things aren't perfect, but what life is? It's the imperfections that make it great!

Oh, and to add to my grown up Christmas List, I would like:

• new clothes (Losing weight post-pregnancy is great, but now nothing fits right);


• shoes (because I tend to wear one pair until I can stick a toe through them);


• a sewing machine (I have a champagne taste on a RC cola budget when it come to the Girl`s clothes); and


• for a buyer for our house (I have been asking for this for a while now, stupid housing market!)

What does your Grown up Christmas List look like?