A Very Full and Grateful Christmas Week

It was a busy week for us. Last week was Christmas, and that alone usually guarantees things will feel full from start to finish. Not chaotic, but full in the best way. Full of traditions, food, people, coming and going, memories layered on top of memories, and those quiet moments in between where you realize how fast time is moving.

Every Christmas Eve, Holly, the boys, and I usually head over to Holly's aunt's house for lunch. It's one of the traditions that has stayed consistent year after year, and I appreciate that more the older I get. Customarily, we bring Popeyes. Usually chicken. We swing by, pick it up, and bring it over while Holly's aunt handles most of the cooking. Holly's mom typically brings desserts, so between all of that, the table is always full. It's relaxed, familiar, and a great way to ease into the holiday without feeling rushed. 

After lunch, we did our annual trip to what we jokingly call "Wolf House," which is really just Waffle House. This has become one of my favorite Christmas Eve traditions. Our family goes to Waffle House and leaves a large Christmas tip for the staff. Over the years, this tradition has evolved. It started with just tipping the server. then we expanded it to include the cook, because cooks usually don't get tips and are working just as hard. Eventually, we included the other server as well. It never felt right that one person would randomly get a Christmas blessing while others working alongside them did not. 

This year was a little different. Normally, there are three or four people working on Christmas Eve. This time, there were nine. That completely threw off our system. We weren't prepared for that many people, and suddenly the math changed. We ended up splitting what we had between everyone. Some got envelopes. Some got Christmas cards. It wasn't quite the same as past years, but the spirit of it was still there, and that's what mattered most. 

Back at home, Luna has been thoroughly enjoying the holiday season. She especially loves the office, which is kind of the hub of the house for Holly and I. That’s where our computers are, where we spend a lot of time working and talking, and she loves being right in the middle of it. She likes the carpet, but she also enjoys rolling over onto the hardwood because it’s cooler. One of the highlights, at least for Luna, was right after Holly cleaned the floors. Within minutes, Luna grabbed one of her toys and left fuzz everywhere. Holly was understandably frustrated. Luna was completely satisfied. If you’ve ever owned a dog, you’ve been there.

During Christmas, a couple of family members asked about my diet and what I normally eat. It came up casually, but they were genuinely curious. I explained that in the mornings, I usually grab a pre-packaged protein shake. It's quick, easy, and hits the bloodstream faster than a bar. At night, I typically have a protein bar. I rotate between two types depending on how the day went. One has more protein but also more fat and carbs. The other is a bit lighter. It's not complicated, just practical. They wanted to see what I was talking about, so I snapped a few pictures and sent them over.

Christmas Day itself was great. Holly and I always seem to wake up first. That hasn’t changed over the years. We took a quick walk, just the two of us, before the day really started. Then it was time for presents. Everyone had a good time opening gifts, and after that, we headed over to my parents’ house for Christmas morning.

Normally, we also do a Krispy Kreme trip sometime before Christmas. This year, between Noah getting in late and my parents getting sick, that didn’t happen ahead of time. So on Christmas Eve morning, I made a Krispy Kreme run and picked up donuts to bring back to my parents’ house. They weren’t quite as hot and fresh as when you get them straight from the store with the lights on, but they were still really good. One thing I noticed is how busy Krispy Kreme gets on Christmas Eve. They were out of many of the novelty donuts we had hoped to get. If you’re planning to go, I’d recommend doing it earlier than Christmas Eve.

We spent Christmas morning at my parents’ house, then came back to our place for Christmas dinner. Over the last few years, we’ve had ham sandwiches with Holly’s parents. It sounds simple, but it’s become a tradition we really enjoy. There’s something nice about not overcomplicating everything and just spending time together. After that, we headed back to my parents’ house again for dinner that night.

While we were there, my nephew showed us the new airsoft gun he got for Christmas. We went outside and played around with it for a while. A couple of months ago, I took him airsofting for the first time, and he absolutely loved it. We’re planning to go again next week while the boys are still in town, which I’m really looking forward to.

Looking back on it all, Christmas was great for us. It really highlights how fortunate and grateful I am. Grateful for my family, for our health, and for the growth of the firm. Grateful for our clients and the opportunity to serve them. Outside of a couple of minor colds, everyone is doing well. Having the boys home from college, family close by, and time together makes you stop and appreciate what you have.

Christmas also always makes me more reflective and more religious. It reminds me to slow down and be grateful to God for the life we've been able to build and the people we get to share it with. It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of work and life throughout the year, but this season has a way of pulling things back into focus. 

One of the last pictures from the week is of Ivy, my son's cat. She was sitting by the door looking for Noah after he went out to visit someone. She kept checking the door like she expected him to walk back in at any moment. It was one of those small moments that stick with you.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is looking forward to the new year ahead. This season means a lot to us, and I hope it did for you as well. 

Until next week,
Shane

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