the new norm

I haven't respond to a Sunday Scribblings in ages.  "Normal is just a cycle on the washer" is said so frequently in my world that I just had to respond to this week's prompt.

I juggle two jobs. I chauffeur my 12 yr old to cheerleading, guitar lessons, and youth group each week. I volunteer, and on Sunday's I am the church pianist in the worship team. I run 5k every other day and  struggle through 22 minutes of Jillian Michaels all to take care of the only body I've got. I love book club but rarely finish the book before we meet each month. Posing in my underwear for a photoshoot of real woman scared the crap out of me but I did it and I felt beautiful.. until I saw the proofs. I love to share good wine with my friends but finding time means scheduling it  just like any other appointment. I don't pretend  - what you see is what you get. Who has time to be something they are not. That's exhausting. I have so many crafts and hobbies started but look out if I put it down, it may never get done.

I am not trying to be superwoman. I am like any other woman who is trying to balance the "must do's" with the "want to's".

It's 2012 and I am normal.

I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich.

We went home for the Christmas. While some things change over the years many things stay the same. Our family is big, loud and leaning very close to crazy.

Family lingering over coffee after a yummy feast

It's a whole different world back in Hartland. With a language all it's own. You have to pay close attention or you will get lost in translation. I am sure my family is no different than yours. The parents are now the grandparents. The siblings are all grown up: The successful engineers who travel all over the world; the working moms who do it all; the ones who think they have it all; and the ones who really do have it all. Note to self, I want to pick up a book on birth order.And the kids of all ages running amuck.

The food was plentiful and so was the laughter. Did I say it got loud? Oh yeah, everyone needs to be heard at these gatherings (I included). Even when everyone is listening they sometimes don't feel they are being heard so a bit of exaggeration is thrown in to spice the story up.
As crazy as this family is they have taught me a few things:
1) Time does not stand still, so make time for family. One day you will wake up and they will be old and not able to remember your name.
2) Always make time for game night. There is something about sitting around a table having a bit of fun over a game to bring everyone together.

Mom cheating and Amanda literally up in arms about it. LOL

3)Success means nothing if you don't have a family to share it with. You can have all the riches in the world but what good is it if you are all alone. I think Ebeneezer Scrooge found this out one Christmas Night.

 Each one of us is so unique and special, clever, intelligent and little on the witty side but what my parents have tried to instill in us that trumps all of that is love. I have said many times over the years "We never had much growing up but I have always known I am loved". I may complain about the craziness sometimes but this family has made me who I am today and that I am grateful for.

Traditions

It's Christmas. I love Christmas. The whole season. A time for reflection. A time for caring and sharing. Laughter. Surprises. Celebration. Great Food. Family. Gifts and decorations. My favorite parts of Christmas are the traditions. 
As I type I am flooded with memories of some of my favorite traditions over the years. There are the classics like getting up at 3am to run out to the tree and see what Santa brought us. Or the special Christmas cereal - the only time that mom would allow us to have sugary cereals. I always picked Frankenberry or Lucky Charms.
Some of my favorite traditions I made with Grant and Georgia. Christmas Eve is a big day for us. We can't sleep in too late or we miss all the action. We head to the mall around mid morning where we grab our specialty coffees and a comfy chair in the center, sit back, relax and people watch. This is so much fun. Some are racing around. Some laughing, Some fighting. There are the women who are all dolled up in their high heels and party hair. Others still in their pj's or sweats. We sometimes take a break from the sitting and do a little self indulgent shopping but nothing that needs to be delivered or put under the tree. After the crowd dies down we head home to prepare for our Christmas Eve dinner. Everyone has a tradition here. For us, it's wings and ceasar salad. The wings slow cook in the oven all night and we head to the Christmas Eve service at church. This year, I am singing in the service. A little nervous. The service will end with Silent Night by candle light. No matter what church we are at this is always solemn and beautiful.
We'll arrive home to the wonderful aroma of chicken and garlic roasting. The wine will be chilled. The salad tossed and we will cosy up and watch one of our favorite Christmas classics.

After years of watching our own parents frantically run around on this day we decided we would not carry the panic on. I look forward to this day with Grant and Georgia so much. It is completely self indulgent. With no expections of me or of anyone else. The hardest decision all day is, what kind of coffee will I order.

LIPPERPALOOZA

This will be the 2nd Annual Lipperpalooza.

Now that the sun is starting to breakthrough I am getting excited for everyone to show up.

Gary relaxing while tending the corn.

Last year we had so much fun that we agreed it needed to happen more often. And then Grant's dad died at Christmas. Who knew the next time we all saw each other would be so sad? It seemed more important than ever to plan this bbq.

Everyone should start arriving here at the lake late afternoon. No agenda but loads to play and do. Swimming, kayaking, golfing (I'm sure Kevin and Allison will have a mini putt course all set up by 4ish). The bon fire will be so much fun with 4 generations gathered for s'mores, guitars, and fireworks. Did I mention food? Corn Boil, Hamburgers, Shelley's Salads are always yummy and lil'g even wanted to make a contribution this year so she is making her famous taco dip.

A bunch of Kooks. Blow out the candles Nanny Sis.

We are a crazy clan. Masters of the silly face portraits and even though we sometimes drive each other nuts but we enjoy a good feast filled with laughter and lots of R & R.
They will be here soon. Time to stop reminiscing and get the iced tea brewing.