Ready or not here it comes

Christmas that is. I'm not ready yet, but then again, I don't think I ever am. And that's a tradition that I've obviously passed on to the rest of my family.

Jay hasn't started his shopping (but I think that's more a guy thing than my influence). Austin is done, but only because I took him. He hasn't wrapped anything yet. As a matter of fact, I asked him just last night if he knew where the presents were and he said "Uh, yea, I think they're in my closet." He thinks they are???

Ashley & Chelsea aren't much better. I do believe Ashley is done with her shopping, except for one friend. She bought her something, but has changed her mind and wants to exchange it, but can't find her receipt.

Chelsea hasn't finished her shopping. Tonight she and a friend are going shopping for their boyfriends and then she is to meet her boyfriend later to help him pick out something for his parents.

I have my shopping done, except for 1 present that I forgot to get the last shopping day I had. I'm hoping to get it tomorrow. I have about 1/2 the presents wrapped and under the tree. I mailed out my Christmas cards last week and while I am not doing any baking, we do have some Christmas cookies in the house. Austin's youth group had a Christmas party and everyone was to bring treats. Austin had basketball practice, so he was the last to arrive. By then everyone had already gotten their treats, so he brought home all 2 dozen cookies. My kids are thrilled. My willpower is not.

We are getting a taste of what the future will be in regards to our family time over the holidays. Chelsea obviously wants to spend part of the day with her boyfriend. I can understand that. I may not like having to share her, but I do understand that he is a very important part of her life. We had originally told her that she could go to his parents house with him after lunch. But when Jay and I talked about that, we knew it would end up being a tense morning of her trying to hurry through lunch, so she could get going. Not how we want our family Christmas meal to be. So we compromised with her. His family is having all their family over for lunch. She'll be with us in the morning. We are allowing her to go to their home for lunch and for the afternoon. Then she must be home by 4pm and stay here the rest of the evening. If her boyfriend would like to come over, he is more than welcome. Instead of having our family holiday meal at lunch, we will have it at supper instead. She was thrilled with the compromise, and I like knowing we've alleviated any potential stressors for that day.

I guess they really are growing up aren't they.