New Year’s Eve is an extra special day for me. It’s my sister’s birthday and ever since I can remember we’ve celebrated her birthday right up until midnight. She’s got in good in that department. Most people celebrate their birthdays with loved ones into the evening, but April really get a full day of birthday honor.
Celebrating April’s birthday this year was super meaningful, even though we did all of things we normally do. April has been living in Kansas for the last six months, but is home for a couple week for the holidays and to celebrate her birthday with family. It’s been great having April and her husband, Andrew, around to hang out with. We last saw each other in Chicago which was very fast paced trip. It’s been great to have some down time with them and just be chill. Many days have been spent playing video games, watching movies and eating a ton of food!
This New Year’s Eve was very much like those of the past. April always requests Chinese food as her birthday meal, so we went to the Great Wall in Salkum for dinner. We all enjoyed a yummy meal and fun conversation. They have these place mats at the restaurant that tell you what your birth year is on the Chinese calendar. Even though we’ve read the descriptions thousand of times, we still discuss them. I finally put together that half of our family our rabbits – Mom, Andrew and April. Rabbits are supposed to avoid Cocks which would be Jeremy. I’m a tiger and I’m supposed to avoid monkeys which would be my father! What strange family dynamic we have if this silly place mat were true!
After dinner, we headed back to our home for dessert. We played some Wii party after dessert and then my parents took off for the night. They aren’t night owls and didn’t feel like welcoming the new year with us. I’m sure they were happy to be home in bed at midnight. April, Andrew, Jeremy and I settled in for a night of video games, board games, a mini dance party, and lots of laughs! This is the first time that I’ve gotten to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home since I’ve been married. Most of the time, Jeremy and I travel to my parent’s house or April’s house to spend the evening. It was harder for me to stay awake this year because I knew my own bed was right around the corner. This lead to me drinking a lot of soda to stay awake. That was great when it got me through midnight. Not so great when I couldn’t fall asleep when I went to bed.
It’s been a fun vacation. I’m still out of the office this week. My hubby took off this morning for work as per usual. It was strange to send him off while I’m still in my pajamas on the couch. We’ve really enjoyed time with friends and family over the last few weeks. I’m blessed to be the family that I am. I’m so grateful for what each member of my family brings to my life. In a world of family dysfunction, I know it’s something special that I can say I’m friends with my family and I genuinely enjoying spending time with them. In fact, that is what my plans are today. I’m going to head up to my parent’s house and just spend the day hanging with family. Hope that you’re enjoying your start to 2012! I know I am!
Amy Scott's Thoughts 