Kung Fu Christmas and Other Assorted Stories

So everyone just left from the annual Christmas Bash and I feel like rehashing the weekend. The saying goes "Don't sweat the small stuff" but I wholeheartedly disagree. This weekend was filled with the small stuff and when added together the small stuff is much more significant to the makeup of our lives. Anyway, here's the recap:

Thursday - After a half day at work, Jenny, Rachel, John and I crammed into the car and drove 13.5 hours, arriving at the grandparents house at 3:00 am. Rach amazed me with her ability to drive for such a long amount of time, a feat necessitated by the short pedals in the car and my inability to fit in the drivers side. The highlight as usual is the obligatory stop at the Waffle House. There is something about exceedingly greasy hashbrowns and crappy coffee that makes traveling fun.


Friday - We awoke at 6:30 am (that's right, less than 3 hours sleep) to make it the rest of the way to Atlanta by 10:00 for the first service for Gramma. Friday was tough, mainly because it was the second time I had to see my mother cry at the loss of a parent. I realized that I had been blocking out my own feelings on Gramma's passing by diving into work and trip preparations. It all came out though at the memorial service. I had what I wanted to say all planned out but when I actually had to get up and say them I turned into a blubbering mess. As noted before, it was the small stuff I remember and cherish most. The evening was filled with celebration as the family got together and reminisced and caught up on each others lives. The highlight would definitely be this picture that my aunt found while going through Gramma's things. I can only hope to be the kind of man my Papa was and have the love of his grandkids like he did.



Saturday - More driving. We left Atlanta at 5:00 am and drove straight through again. That's 1600+ miles, 27+ hours in a 55 hour period. Of course, when Rachel sat on John's milkshake, that was pretty much the highlight of the day.




Sunday - Christmas at Jenny's parents. I loved watching the nephew open his smorgasbord of presents. Unfortunately I was still pretty much out of it from all the traveling.


Monday - Up at 7:30 to start cooking for the Christmas Bash. I pretty much cooked all day. Of course it was all worth it when everyone showed up. I absolutely love cooking for people! It was great to get together with old friends, make a couple of new friends and just have a good time. I haven't seen some of these guys in up to five years but we basically picked up right where we left off. It's great how God keeps the right people around to be a part of your life when you need them.



Yes, that is Andy Gibb, and yes, his magnificence didst blind mine camera.