X-mas AM

I'm breaking a couple of bloggy rules today: I usually don't post on holidays (yes, Christmas eve counts), let alone on weekends, and I'm usually not feeling so mushy, gushy when I write, but I couldn't resist. So I'll make it quick...

And the rest goes, "let your heart be light"... but mine is not. It's a little heavier than usual, in fact.

Confession: I think I'm experiencing growing pains- am I too old for that?

Tonight marks my very first Christmas eve-night-into-Christmas-morning absence from the Warren household.

It's official. I'm a grown up- when did this happen?

I'm not sure why I think it is such a big deal, but it kind of is, right?- like the end of an era or something. Don't get me wrong, while I am overjoyed to be Mrs. Fabin, being away from the family whom I've spent 25 amazing Christmas mornings with, is leaving me a little blue.

I'll be missing out on so many things: The anxious, borderline-rude, early wake-up from my brothers; the indulgence of sipping on early-morning cocktails with Tracy (including, but not limited to, bloody marys and spiked coffee); the sound of mom's desperate pleas to make gift opening 'last'; and the taste of dad's bacon-fat fried eggs for breakfast (they're my favorite eggs ever).

I am missing allllll of that this year, SO I am whole-heartedly devoted to making our first Fabin-family Christmas morning equally awesome.

Here's my plan:

1. Extra sleep
2. Sweet, pulp-free mimosas in our wedding flutes
3. Calm, steady-paced gift opening
4. A homemade pancake breakfast

... we might be able to fit some cozy couch snuggling in there too. We'll see.

I'll definitely let you know how it goes. Chris has some ginormous shoes to fill, for sure.

Happy holidays, everyone! May love sparkle and shine in your lives today, tomorrow and in the new year!