"The best-laid plans of mice and men...

Often go awry."  And this was the case for our Christmas.  I had a fabulous menu planned full of new recipes that I couldn't wait to try and then share with my friends.  However, they fell by the way side.

This Chrismas was full of unexpected mishaps.  Christmas Eve started out great.  We finally decorated our Christmas tree with our hand made ornaments, opened a few presents, made Christmas cookies, left reindeer food on the lawn and read The Night Before Christmas.  Everyone was dressed in their special Christmas pajamas.  And after putting out all the presents, the grown ups were off to bed.  2 of 3 and 3 of 3 had other plans.  After holding, rocking and soothing them half the night we could finally put the two stuffy little people to bed.  As soon as we fell asleep 1 of 3 ran into our room then turned around and stormed back to her room.  I heard that dreaded noise.  The one that causes a mommy to rise up from bed and run for her child.  I did just that.  I made it in time to hold her hair back and comfort her.  After a bath and hair shampoo, a stripping of the sheets, and a cleaning of her room (and the American doll which is now going to have to go to the dolly hospital for a clean up) it was time to try to sleep again.  Ahh, the wee small hours of the night.

Nobody made it down on Christmas morning in their cute Christmas pajamas.  No special Christmas breakfast was served, only dry toast.  It was at this time I was reminded again that the greatest gifts I have ever been given, with the exception of the grace of God, are my 3 little people.  It is a blessing and privilege that I can be a comfort to them in their little time of need, that I have the ability to calm them and relax them.  I even told 1 of 3 as I was bathing her and washing her hair at 1 a.m. that one of the best gifts to mommy is to be the one to take care of her and help her when she's sick.  One pale faced little girl glowed for a moment as a huge smile covered her face.  It was truly a meaningful Christmas even though it wasn't the one I had planned or expected. 

I did get a few really great cookbooks for Christmas I'll be trying out soon.  Hoping you had the Merriest time at Christmas!