Tybee in December

The days since my last post have been a whirlwind. I cooked for my dad's birthday on Tuesday night. Then I had to work on Wednesday and as soon as I got home, we left for Tybee.

We've taken a December trip there for the past few years. We had to go a week later than we normally go and it was very last minute because of Jeff's work schedule. There were some things that were different, but it was fun all the same.

The island is beautifully decorated for Christmas. So many of the houses have lights. And then the lights on the street lights are so pretty. This is the old guard house.

Thursday was gorgeous. It was sunny, but sooo cold. We walked out onto the pier that the boys fish for hours on in the summer. There were two people braving the cold wind trying to catch a fish. We didn't stick around to see if they were successful or not. This is at the pier. I can't walk past this arch without taking a picture. I've got dozens that look just like it.

While we were there, we crashed a party. We went into one of our favorite places to eat. It was packed. I mean, really, really crowded. Even more so than this summer when Miley was on the island. We ordered a drink and found a seat. Well, you would think we would've noticed that no one was waiting the tables, but no, we didn't notice that. So Jeff goes up to the bar to order some food. The bartender told him that the food was out on the deck. HA! Then she told him that it was a private party. How embarrassing! So I had to sit there mortified until Jeff finished his beer. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. He was cool as a cucumber.

Friday was warmer, much warmer. But just so I wouldn't feel slighted by being at the beach without rain, it poured. If I go to the beach, it's gonna rain. You can count on it.

We shopped and got almost all of the shopping we had left done. I've still got my hardest people to buy for; my mama and my daddy. Ugh. I'm running out of time I know, but hopefully I'll have a revelation and think of the perfect gifts. Doubtful, but maybe...

This morning we got up and headed to the little South Georgia town of Brooklet. That's where Luke and Libby and Hannah Leigh live. It was about an hour and fifteen minutes from Tybee.
We gathered for the Kimball Christmas. We eat lunch and exchange gifts. This is the gift that Jeff got. Perfect for him.

I made lots of pictures, but of course, I wasn't happy with any of them. I'll hopefully get some from Suz or Jackie. Our entire family was there. Not a single person missing. I enjoyed seeing all the little kids' excitement when they were opening their presents. But you know what? I enjoyed even more watching my boys help their cousins put together some of the things they got. Can you even believe how tightly they package a Barbie doll? You need a toolbox to open the packaging. I gave Colby a wireless remote controlled go-kart. He had every adult there trying to fix it so he could play with it. So on Christmas morning, make sure you've got your toolbox handy.

Every year Luke and Libby give the boys a special gift when it's their turn. Luke always kills a snake at some point during the year. This year it was Ethan's turn to get the snakeskin.

I thought this one had the prettiest pattern yet. He killed this one out in his pea patch. He was hoeing the weeds and there the snake was. Perfect.

So much fun. We planned all the Kimball events for next year. Including Christmas, which we all know will be here before we know it.

I've been feeling a little blue during the holidays. I always do. It's more than just the post-Christmas letdown. I am so tenderhearted and I have so many memories of Christmases past. The memories get me a bit sad sometimes. I was at Lowes the other day and smelled a fresh Christmas tree and cried right there in the lawn and garden department. That simple smell took me back to the times we'd take the boys to pick out our Christmas tree. Before the evening was over, we'd all be ready to kill each other. I'd like one. The boys would find two different trees (of course) that they liked. And Jeff couldn't have cared less. It never seemed fun at all. It was after years of that torture that I decided to get a fake tree. But even after all that, the mere scent of a Fraser Fir can bring me to tears. Isn't it ironic?

Well, tonight I finally figured out what it is about Christmas that makes me sad. It is thinking about the people that are missing. Things they did or said. So many memories. I think I get sad because I trick my mind into thinking that after Christmas, all the fun is over and that everything will be dreary and boring. And that's just not true. I still see my family. I can still wear sparkly clothes if I want to. And heaven knows, I'll still be eating too much. My life is still good, even after Christmas day.

True I don't have a little boy anymore to see excitement on his face. But I do get to see my big boys do other things that bring me pleasure. It's not easy to turn to a new chapter when you so enjoyed the chapter before it. I'm going to though. No Blue Christmas for me. I'll think back fondly on my Christmases past. I'll enjoy my Christmas present. And I'll look ahead with hope to my Christmas future.

Five days till Christmas 2009.

Till next time.