Evolution?

This year leading up to Thanksgiving I wasn't really feeling the holiday mood thing. I'm not sure if it was because there were still lots of trees with leaves still green or if it was because the weather was still pretty warm. Anyway, regardless of what it was I definitely was not feeling the holiday spirit.

It's beginning to change though and it started with Thanksgiving morning. I was able to sleep in which is always a bonus. But what is even better is sleeping in and then waking up to the house smelling of turkey cooking and pumpkin pies baking. I came out a little blurry-eyed and had my next nostalgic moment when I saw my niece and nephew camped in front of the tv watching the Macy's parade. Lydia at one point was bemoaning the fact that they kept announcing that people from High School Musical were suppose to be "up next" and yet they weren't. Oh how I remember feeling the same way when New Kids on the Block were suppose to be "up next" and weren't. Wait a minute, did I just admit to that! Okay, moving on...Dinner was fabulous as it always is because my mom makes the best stuffing ever. And I do mean ever. And this year she was able to find the Schwebels rolls. (There is a whole story behind the necessary Schwebels rolls but I'll blog about that at another point.)

Probably the best part was watching the Chronicles of Narnia with Lydia and Bry though. I consider it a Christmas movie because it came out, well, at Christmas. Now I love movies, but I love them even more when I'm watching them with people who really enjoy the movie itself. Take for instance The Princess Bride. It is just not the same unless someone is there watching it with you and appreciating it enough to repeat the lines "Inconceivable" and "Hello, My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." Anyway, I digress. The whole point of that was to say that Lydia and Bry are great to watch this movie with because they get so into it. I thought Lydia was going to pop out of her seat a couple of times. And both had watched it before but that didn't matter because they were still excited when the wardrobe full of coats suddenly became the pine trees of Narnia and Aslan made his triumphant return. Personally my two favorite parts (because they are my favorite parts of the book) are when Mr. Beaver says "Aslan is on the move." (that gives me goose bumps) and at the end when Mr. Tumnus and Lucy are talking. Mr. Tumnus says, "He's not a tame lion." And Lucy replies, "No, but he is good." What a great image.

So, yeah, the holiday spirit is definitely emerging and festivities are in the works. I'm starting to get excited about finding the perfect gift for people and planning the Christmas party for the children at church. (I'm sure I'll have some fun pictures to post after that one! They're putting together care packages for some military folks and then will be decorating their own cookies...what am I thinking?!) A Charlie Brown Christmas was on tonight and the Grinch will soon be. And, of course, A Christmas Story is already playing day and night. Oh, and I'm getting ready to watch all of the Lord of the Rings movies again, because yes, they're "Christmas movies" too. Amy has started decorating the house and to some dismay Christmas music is already playing everywhere you go.

As I'm sitting here typing this it's just hit me that it is somewhat amazing that this whole "holiday spirit" got started with a quiet night and an unassuming baby in a manger so long ago. Hmmm, how about that for evolution?