whirlwind

As Alex likes to quote from Talladega Nights, "TWO CHRISTMASES!"

Or more accurately, five Christmases, spanning from Oneonta to Guntersville to Sheffield.

We kicked off Christmas with a party at Alex's house, hosted by his roommate Buck and his girlfriend-- THE hostess with the mostess. This was our first foray into the world of married couples, as the entire party consisted of 8 couples, 5 of who were married couples. And if that doesn't feel grown up enough, one couple had a seven month old at home with a sitter.

The next day, after my second battery of testing for graduation/certification/licensure, we headed to Oneonta for the Marcum family Christmas at Momma Em's. There's never a dull moment when the oldest grandson is 33 (or are you 34, Eric?) and the youngest great grandchild is 2. And better yet, the true youngest is coming on January 31! And throughout that age range, the biggest gap is 6 years. We literally have every developmental stage and age group represented, so there's always wisdom to share and stories to tell and retell.

This week, we celebrated Christmas at Kat's house. I think this was her third annual gathering, but my first time attending, and I was kind of overwhelmed by how this group of people (Kat specifically) brought me to where I am right now. Laura and her husband were there-- the two that introduced me to Kat. Rebekah, who hosted the girls night where I met she and Kat, was there. Abby was with Kat and I when we got ready to go out the night Alex and I were officially "set up" (seriously, it was like a conspiracy). As we stood around sipping champagne punch and eating Christmas cookies, I couldn't help but think how my life's come full circle in so short a time.

**As I mentioned, this is the third annual Christmas party at Katherine's, and unfortunately the last one for some time. On January 9, our little matchmaker leaves for a 2.5 year mission to Bulgaria. So please put this very, very special friend of mine on your prayer list, boys and girls.

Friday morning, Alex and I headed home to Guntersville for Christmas with my parents. This year has been confusing for me because I'm a stickler for tradition. That is, I require that things be exactly the same from year to year. That means we don't deviate from our traditional watching of the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas or the sugar cookies that we eat while we watch. With "TWO CHRISTMASES!" this year, a little flexibility was needed. So Christmas Eve Eve, we had our traditional Christmas Eve meal and opened one present apiece. We tried out a new game that Mom and Dad won in Marcum Dirty Christmas, and Alex and I spent a great deal of time playing Mario Party on Wii (as a result of his one present for the night). To cap off the night, Al watched the Jim Carrey version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the foot of my bed while I looked through wedding inspiration online.

Christmas Eve morning, the house was frenzied with preparations for the Hays family Christmas celebration. The whole clan gathered at our place for lunch and Wii battles, a tradition that has emerged mainly among the men of our family in the last five years or so. Per usual, there was way more food than necessary and tons of memories shared between cousins that grew up in the same crazy family. Stories that only cousins would find funny.

After the family left, I demolished Alex in Mario Party for the first and very likely last time (which is why it must be documented here in public). Later, Mom and Dad tag-teamed us in a combined battle of Scrabble and Taboo. Technically they won, but if you break down the scores (which we're doing here for the sake of our egos) they won decidedly in Scrabble and we mopped the floor with them in Taboo. I think we can all see where the true teamwork shined through. (And if you don't know how to play Taboo, I'll just tell you: it requires actual teamwork, unlike Scrabble). We feasted on leftovers from earlier that day and opened another round of presents-- this year Mom wanted to work up to a grand finale on Christmas morning, so we went 1-3-remainder starting on Friday and ending on Sunday morning.

Sunday morning, Dad made his traditional omelets, and we opened-- unwrapping Santa gifts was a first in the Hays home-- the remainder of our Christmas toys. Alex pretty much reaped a new wardrobe from his first Christmas with us, and I did pretty well too: wallet, purse, clothes, apron, ornament for my collection, make-up, etc.

After a beautiful Christmas morning service at FBC, we headed west to Sheffield for my first Ruggles Family Christmas. The setting's a little more formal, but the love is just as palpable. I was reminded throughout the day how lucky Alex and I are to come from two families that truly love and enjoy each other. It's incredible enough that each of our parents are in the happiest years of their 30+ year marriages, and getting happier by the day it seems, but to have extended families, too, that genuinely look forward to these holiday gatherings... well, we're unspeakably blessed. That's all there is to it.

This was the first time getting to catch up with Alex's extended family since we got engaged, so it was quite special to see the two women that so graciously gave their own engagement rings to help create mine. It was thrilling all over again to tell the story and talk wedding details with my new family.

Christmas night, we returned to the GORGEOUS home of Alex's parents. At long last, Alex got to have Santa time with his folks, and I had the privilege of becoming part of their traditions.

Today, Al and I had lunch with three of his best friends from high school. It was funny to hear their shared stories of growing up together and funnier still to hear stories they shared with each other from new chapters of their lives. And sometimes it was just funny to zone out while they the umpteenth story of 25 people I didn't know. The rest of the afternoon was spent reading and snoozing and last minute catching up with the family of the groom.

And tonight, I got to spend an evening with one of my very best friends and bridesmaid, Laura, who is in the 23rd hour of her own new engagement. It's so wild to share this time with my closest friends. Between Erica and now Laura, nothing beats comparing notes with my best friends as they go through the same trials and tribulation and thrills and exultation of being the bride-to-be.

All in all, it's been a whirlwind-- but a very merry, wonderful Christmas whirlwind.