"Just hurry down the chimney tonight..."

Happy holidays!!

When the biggest holiday collides with moving out of an apartment, things get a little messed up and complicated. It'll get worse when I actually start packing, but I just don't have the heart to do it until Friday. I don't know if it is Christmas, or if it is because I moved in here thinking I'd be here a lot longer... I'll miss the fam, but I got a reassuring Facebook message from a friend today, and it reinforced my decision to go back to Brookings. Merry Christmas, ya know?

My family celebrates Christmas on the Eve. I'm not sure why, but it was always nice as a kid to just open and enjoy my gifts the night before. Then we could all chill on the Christmas Day and hang out with each other. Besides, there's something magical about "knowing" Santa could be flying by the picture window as we opened our presents. I remember one Christmas Eve, Spencer and I sat in the kitchen in our old house, listening to the radio for updates on Santa's location. Mom and Dad finally managed to get us to bed because Dad swore he heard bells on the roof but Santa knew we were up, so we had to go to bed. That was enough.

Spencer and I were always spoiled when it came to Santa. Every year, Mom called 1-800-North-Pole for us and we got to talk to Mrs. Clause and Santa. I always thought it was crazy how much Santa sounded like our Uncle Kent, but you know, I never asked. ;)

When I was even younger, when Spencer was just a baby, Santa came to visit us personally. I truly don't remember this, but I guess after we opened our presents, someone knocked on the door. Mom made me run to answer it and on the other side was a kitchenette set, with bits of snow and sparkles on the top. Dad reappeared (where was he?!) and exclaimed over how he heard a "Ho Ho Ho" outside. I thought Santa's personal visit was the coolest thing. We still have that kitchenette set in the basement.

As a young adult, I'm having a difficult time with Christmas, just transitioning from kid-like fantasy to adulthood, but you could argue I'm having difficulty with that transition all together. I do know, however, that I am so excited to have kids some day, just to celebrate nights like tonight with them.