Christmas was definitely different in the Southwick house this year. On Monday (December 23rd), Amber had a medical procedure to fix a deviated septum. We got to watch Beau while she and Jacob went to the hospital. After the procedure, the pain and discomfort was more than she anticipated so we got to keep Beau overnight. Jonas woke up to Christmas Eve morning snuggles with Beau. Thankfully, we didn't really have anything planned during the day and Jonas was more than ok to just chill at home (especially since we just got back from Chicago). Jonas vacillated between watching shows and playing outside. Jacob and Amber eventually drove down to join us in the afternoon. Amber mostly stayed downstairs, but Jacob and Beau joined in our festivities (as much as possible between their naps). The rest of the kids were elsewhere for Christmas Eve - Dallin and Laurin were with their in-laws (or almost in-laws) and Danny was of course in Kansas. The evening finally rolled around and it was time to start all of our Christmas Eve traditions. We set out the luminaries, enjoyed our Bethlehem dinner, and had our Christmas Eve devotional...and that was it! My in-laws joined us then left after the devotional. Amber joined us for the dinner and devotional as well then went downstairs to get some rest. Jacob stayed upstairs with us and Beau for a little while before he succumbed to sleep as well. Jonas, Jeff, and I played a round of Phase 10 then turned on Santa Chronicles 2. To be honest, this was a very weird Christmas. It was so quiet! Usually after our devotional, there is enough of the kids around that the party gets started. They'll run downstairs to play video games or hang out or something. When I didn't think we would be watching Beau, I considered going to a movie during the day...but we did nothing. Jonas didn't seem to mind. In fact, in a lot of ways I was grateful that he knew Santa's secret because he was more chill with the fact that there wasn't constant Christmas magic (or chaos). It was honestly nice that I didn't have that Christmas stress, but in so many ways, I missed the magic. I missed the chaos of all the kids/grandkids. I missed the day long of everyone just hanging out at the house. We've had to share the Irons family every other year, but this is the first year we had to share Dallin...and Amber wasn't feeling well...and Danny was still gone...so it felt eerily quiet. I realize that this is probably going to be more the norm moving forward; at least it will probably be like this every other year while our kids spend time with their in-laws. We did have our crazy, fun Grinch party earlier this month, but Christmas itself was quiet. I think Dallin and Amber will always try to spend part of Christmas with us; it's just harder for Laurin when her in-laws are in Ogden. Perhaps some of our traditions will be modified as our family evolves. Perhaps we'll keep the same traditions just on a smaller scale. Who knows? I just know this year I experienced a "silent night" kind of Christmas.
Dallin and Audrey drove down Christmas Eve night so they could wake up and do Christmas morning with us. Christmas morning felt more normal. Jonas got up around 6:00, but he patiently waited until closer to 7:30 before we woke up everyone else. After that, it was a flurry of wrapping paper and excitement! I love watching the kids open their gifts. It was fun celebrating with both Beau and Audrey for the first time. Beau, of course, didn't really know what was going on, but it was cute watching him play with the wrapping paper and little gift we got him. I'm so excited for Dallin and Audrey. It warms my mama heart to see my kids find their person. Audrey is such a sweetheart and an awesome addition to our family. I had to get her some "best" daughter-in-law socks. The kids gifted me some very thoughtful and meaning gifts of which there were little notes of appreciation from each of them. I'm pretty sure that is one of the best Christmas gifts I have ever received. I think it's natural for a mom to feel overlooked and under appreciated at times. I know I do, but after reading their notes, I definitely felt seen and appreciated. I sincerely have the best family. We are not perfect by any means, but we love hard! After we opened gifts, we enjoyed our waffle breakfast then the boys tried to shoot each other with the Nerf guns Jonas got. The boys then played some video games until Dallin and Audrey moved on to her family's party. About an hour of so after Dallin and Audrey left, Jacob and Amber headed home too. We returned to a quiet Christmas. Jonas, Jeff, and I cleaned up our Christmas messes then played a couple of games, including this stacking block toy that Carter and Everly bought Jeff and I. I still prepared our Christmas prime rib dinner. I guess I was still trying to hold on to our traditions...but maybe I'm the only one holding on. Maybe those off years we don't need a big Christmas dinner. Luckily, my in-laws joined us. We listened to the Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concert while we ate...and that was it. Christmas was officially over! Honestly, I still think I'm trying to process all the newness of our family's evolution. I have very mixed feelings about the silent nights we experienced. I vacillate between embracing the silence and abhorring it. One thing's for sure, I don't resent it. I know this is a very natural part of our family's growth. While I wish Jonas had more years to celebrate with his siblings, he is thankfully old enough to understand the evolution and accept it even if he, like me, wishes he could always have his siblings around. Christmas was still magical. It was still fun. Memories were still made and traditions continued. Merry Christmas everyone!
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