Happy Christmas-Eve Eve!!

I'm a big fan of Christmas-Eve Eve!  It seems like we always do something fun, but it's a different crowd and activity each year.  And it's a holiday in my mind, but with less pressure than the official holidays sometimes carry.  Anyway, today has been great!  I slept till noon, for starters. =)  Then Mom and the Whitakers came over around 5:00 and we did Christmas presents at my place (along with a few photos - shocking, I know)! lol 

Mom got refurbished iPads and Christmas candy for the boys, which was a hit! 

When I opened the door, the boys yelled "Merry Christmas!!" and all three of them had a gift bag to hand me... so this = us recreating that moment inside. lol

Whitakers + me and Mom

Yaaaaay, Christmas!

Mom ("Aunt Maxine") and the boys

Santa stopped by our table at Toby Keith's to give the boys candy canes

Frankie was kind enough to buy our dinner, which is much appreciated (and impressive to me when anyone pulls that off with my Dad there, as he always insists on buying)!  Love this group pic of our table!  ❤

Yay, glasses (me and Wesson)!

Loads of cute pictures of the boys and by the boys! =) Nash being a robber and taking all Mom's money was entertaining... Nash: "Gimme all your money!!"  Mom:  "Well, I don't have cash on me, but I have lots of receipts." Nash: "Oh... well, I'll take all the receipts then!" lol

Kristin and I ran back inside out of the crazy wind to get one last picture! =)

So grateful for my cousin/bestie!  She got me this pink T-Swift sweatshirt (and a matching t-shirt for warmer days) & these comfy slippers - love it all!   And I love that her non-Swiftie self was willing to buy these things for me! =)

Throwing in a few memes, just for fun!

Sent this to Chettles and Sarah! lol

A different take on this popular song. lol

As I sit here in my cozy slippers and Swiftie shirt beside the twinkling lights of my Christmas tree blogging about my friends and family and snacking on a mini-tin of butter cookies, I'm feeling extra grateful for all the ways God is working in my life, for Judge Brockman's kindness, for my clients and internship sites, for worship music, for being surrounded with freaking amazing friends, for all the family fun ahead, etc.  In stark contrast, I had a very low moment only two days ago, and I may write more on that later (or maybe it doesn't need to be written). As I've said many times before, this season amplifies our joys and our sorrows, our hopes and our worries. The light feels brighter and the darkness feels more encompassing.  So the more we invest our time and energy in focusing on what we are grateful for, the more joyful and grateful we will feel!  And the more we dwell on the light of Christ and our hope in Christ, the more clearly we will see His light and feel empowered by His strength even in the sad and bittersweet parts of this earthly life.  The best gift we should cling to in this season is the peace Jesus gives us. ❤

Anyway, thank you for being here!  Happy Christmas to you and those you love!!

Now I'm off to bed watch the end of The Crown!