Thursday, January 03, 2008

I've Got the New Year's Blues...

I think the first week of the year has to be one of my least favorite. I should be excited and refreshed as I've made my list of New Year's resolutions (or not...) and have a blank canvas on which to paint my life for the next year. Somehow, it doesn't work that way with me. Instead, I'm bummed that my Christmas decorations are all put away for another 1o months & 28 days (but who's counting), I can no longer justify eating WAY too much because "it's the holidays", I have to be a responsible adult and go back to work, and even worse--Ryan has to go back to work, which means lots of time away from home.

I'll quit complaining though. We had a really great holiday, and unfortunately, I have NO pictures to show for it. I'm now regretting not asking for a new camera for Christmas because mine is a piece of...well, you know. Brad, Kendall, the 2 dogs, Ryan & I packed ourselves and all of our presents in the Jeep and went to Abilene the weekend before Christmas to celebrate with my family. There is nothing like being at my parents' on Christmas...it smells the same every year, I love our matching plaid stockings, playing Christmas music on their piano sounds better than any other, and breakfast on Christmas morning (or whatever morning we're celebrating Christmas on) is the best of the year. We played games, ate, watched Christmas Vacation (of course!), ate some more, and just relaxed. Then, we drove back to FW on Christmas Eve in time for our Christmas Eve service. When I started my job in October, I had no idea that part of my job was to put the little no-drip sleeves on all 550 Christmas Eve candles, so there was no way I was gonna miss the candlelight service after all of my hard work!

On Christmas Day, Ryan, Jack, Harley, and I woke up at our own house, in our own bed, with our own presents, under our own Christmas tree, and had our very own Christmas just the 4 of us before heading to Flower Mound to spend the day with Ryan's family. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to be HOME for Christmas and not traveling from the East Coast. That may have been my favorite part of the holidays. Ryan's family came in full force, and we spent the day opening Round 1 of presents, then eating lunch, then opening Round 2 of presents. It was a busy day, but lots of fun. We were definitely spoiled!

On the 26th, our friends Jeff & Kristy Skains and their new baby girl Aubrey Claire came to visit from California. Because Ryan and I did our fair share of traveling over previous holidays, we know how hard it can be to see everyone you want to see. So...we had about 30 of our college friends over for a party that night. It was a BLAST to catch up with people that I haven't seen for the past 5 years. And to think, we all live so close together! My house may never recover, but the party was well worth it.

Luckily, this week will be over soon enough, and 2008 will be well underway. I hope you all have a VERY Happy New Year!

12 comments:

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

Girl, I get the blues too. Every year, I wish I could go back to about mid-December and do it all over again!

I have to will myself to be anticipatory of spring pedicures, an Easter dress, and swimsuit season (yikes!!!)

carla's gateway said...

Sarah Jones Thornton, what a neat deal to see you and your handsome family of "4"! I am so new to this "blog" thing, but I'm having so much fun learning! I told your mom and Dad the other night... "some of my favorite memories are our precious ones all huddled up in that big OLD truck singing Christmas carols all over Abilene." As your blog implies, life is rather difficult to coordinate all the relationships at any time much less the overcrowded holiday gathering weeks. Maybe we can carol at St Patrick's day??? regardless, just know I loved seeing your sweet smiling face that has changed so little through the years! Bless yall lots! oh yeah, Elly has 2 little ones now, and Emily has 3. Troy catches up on you guys through your dad when, on occassion he sees him golfing.

carla's gateway said...

you are right, the cottages are the ones Molly and Peter stayed in back in July. We are having a "road" party (we now live on a road, not a street) tonight up there. Cooking steaks and eating outside since it will be 80 around here! good ole Texas! Good to hear from you, come out and visit sometime and let us meet this guy of yours! I'm sure he is wonderful. have a great day, c

carla's gateway said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
campers said...

I love that I read your blog and have heard it all! :~) I will think of you every christmas eve service putting those candles together..... I have wondered whose job it was....I wonder who does it for FBC??? Now I will just think of you!

carla's gateway said...

Okay Sarah, my novice attempts have not allowed me to change a comment without deleting it? so that said, forgive my inexperience with "blog etiquette". Question: Does your husband know a guy named John Reese who is located here in the Abilene area. I believe he and his wife had been from Louisiana before Katrina, and are now here. I THINK he is in the same line of work as your husband. I work at a pregnancy counseling center with his wife and they've stayed in our "cottages". Just wondering if you knew them as you are involved in such an unusual adventurous sort of work.

Tiffani said...

Sounds like you had a great holiday! I totally agree with you on those New Year's blues. I was so sad to put away all our decorations. I was wishing I could make the time go back to right before we left for Abilene...that way I could do the holidays all over again. Guess I'll just have to start looking forward to Christmas 2008!

Natalie said...

Happy 2008! I love your new layout!

carla's gateway said...

How pretty Sarah... Elly would love the pink and brown with the flowers flowing under the words. Did you do it yourself!?! good job

campers said...

yea!!! You got it!

ThePoeFam said...

TIME FOR AN UPDATE!!!!

The Skains Family said...

So I had no idea you blogged either! And for that matter Melodie whom I talk to on a regular basis. I am so out of the loop!!!!