Tis' the Season: A Festive Holiday Party

Last night, we went to our friend Jen’s annual holiday party at her gorgeous house in Chattanooga. We went to her parties in 2017 and 2018, which feels like yesterday but also a lifetime ago. I’ve decided time means nothing anymore and that’s that on that.

We skipped 2019 because our kids had just come to live with us a few months before, and of course we didn’t do anything in 2020, and I can’t for the life of me remember why we didn’t go last year, but all the planets aligned this year and we were able to go.

And thank goodness, because, though we weren’t able to stay for a great amount of time, just being out and about with PJ and our friends was enough for me.

Sometimes I think it’s hard for me to remember that we don’t have to be around our kids 24/7. We got so used to that during those first two years, mainly because covid kept us inside and away from everyone, and it’s been difficult to break out of that mindset now that the world has moved on. We work from home, and Anna is still home with us, so the thought that we can be away from them and it’s fine (and actually very welcome!) is one I am still getting adjusted to.

Their aunt took the boys to basketball practice last night and tucked them into bed, waiting up until we got home. She is truly a lifesaver, always offering to help with the kids in any way she can. I love that they get to grow up with her in their lives. I am very quickly realizing that blended families are kind of the best.

We’re getting ready for my brother’s annual Tacky Christmas Sweater Party tonight, so we’ll be heading out in a few hours. I know I sound like a broken record (I imagine it’s playing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas over and over again), but I love this damn season so much.