“And so this is Christmas, and what have you done, another year over, a new one just begun.” I heard these lyrics as TJ and I were sitting on the ground watching the girls dance and twirl in front of the tree after having decorated it.
Goosie ran over and gave me a hug, and laid in my arms for a moment. It was just a moment — 30 seconds maybe — but it was so sweet.
And sitting there with her in my arms, watching her sister twirl around the room, I had my answer to the question the song was asking.
“What have you done?”
This is what I have done. I have raised my girls. I have cooked them hundreds of meals, read them thousands of books, and given them an endless number of hugs. I have told them stories and listened to their songs. I have watched them dance and have joined in the fun. I have photographed them and video taped them. I have dried their tears and kissed their bruises.
Sometimes time can go by with days upon days with seemingly endless monotony. Many nights have come where things were seemingly in more disarray than when the day begun.
But this life that TJ and I have created — this world with twinkling lights and sparkling eyes looking up at us — this is real.
My life is no longer one of achievement, and my days surely aren’t spent chasing goals. But these pictures are my answer to the year — these pictures are what I have done. And I’m pretty proud of that.
Happy Christmas 🙂
Magoo’s preschool masterpiece. She’s quite proud…
She is quite amused that there is an actual tree in her house…
Magoo mid-twirl…
Smiley girl…
My hear husband — notice his attempt to grow his facial hair as thick as possible before Christmas so he can dye it white and look like Santa Clause. I kid you not that this is his plan…
“The last ornament of the ‘ear.'” Ordinarily, I am very good at keeping my cool when they inadvertently say funny things, but when she dropped this one under the tree and came up to me crying, saying, “I dropped the very last ornament of the ear under the tree and now it’s all gone,” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Trying to help Daddy with the shop vac…
And we end with Goosie having flung herself on the floor in despair after the huge shop vac hose knocked her down.
