Is it really the week of Christmas?

It is hard to believe that this is the week of Christmas.

I have been so out of touch of the season this year.

Yesterday I made a short walk in the mall

just to be part of the hustle of the holiday.

Felt like just sitting there and people watch but

passed on that.

It doesn't help that the HOBL and BB are

both working for the holiday.

Baby girl and I made plans for

Christmas Eve where I will attend mass

with Mumsie at the Manor and we then

will take her eat out and ride to see the lights.

So different from the Christmas Eve's of

when the babies were young.

The anticipation of Santa coming just

doesn't live here in the Riera home anymore

and when the Riera boys are working, it seems

like half of us are gone.

We will celebrate the Riera Christmas long after

the holidays are done since HOBL doesn't come home

until after it's all done.

What is the message to those who read who are

right now blessed with youngsters in the home?

Oh enjoy the magic of the season,

Enjoy every minute, all the worries of whether

Santa will get the orders right,

the hustle and bustle of Christmas.

The minutes you are stressing over right now

"will I get everything done"

"will the kids get and be happy with what they get"

"how will I do all that needs to be done by then"

will be the same minutes you will wish you could have back.

The magic of putting your babies to bed,

kiss and tuck them in, that they are so excited

about what Santa will bring,

it will be over so soon.

Yes, just a little "empty nest syndrome"

right now from auntie Lil.

Thanks to the big family I am from,

on Christmas day we will all meet at Sister V's

house with the Mumsie in tow and get to enjoy

the magic with some of the kids I adore.

Next year the magic begins again for us when

we will celebrate our first Christmas with Jilly bean.

I know next year at this time I will once again and

for the next few years be shopping for the perfect

gifts that will light up our Jilly's eyes.

I will once again see the magic of Santa in her eyes.

Lesson from Auntie Lil?

Don't rush this week, these moments, if you are blessed

with little ones in your home.

Kiss them good night, tuck them in tight,

tell them you love them and they are the best gifts

you have ever received.

Then if you are blessed enough to have a HOBL in your life,

enjoy a moment, just the two of you.

Thank the other for the gift of your children.

Wrap the presents, await the arrival of Santa...

SAVOR THE MOMENTS