All I Want for Christmas is YOUUUUUUU

Preface:  I realize that we have it pretty good...our family is together, my husband is not deployed, we are healthy.  We are THANKFUL.
But in addition to that... this year we (I) are (am) especially grateful for new time with our special Man of the house.  Why?  Because this time of year has historically meant he was - well not quite absent, but not all here either.

Since we have become a family (since Macie was born), the day after Thanksgiving has meant more than just the hustle and bustle and new season of Christmas.  It meant busy season for Eric.  With his job as a restaurant proprietor, extra business meant a nicer paycheck, but it came with a cost.  When we moved here to Nashville. the restaurant was attached to a MALL (and have you been to a mall lately?  They are nuts!).  AND THEN, of course the higher powers of the business combined with Eric's uber competitiveness decided they were missing out on even more sales, so they opened for lunch from Thanksgiving to New Years.  Basically, this meant Eric would leave for work around 8 am and get home close to 11pm.  He would allow a day off a week, and that's when we would knock our Christmas lights and season festivities.  But, if you know the guy like I know him, those dark shadows under his eyes spelled T.I.R.E.D.  His pants were baggy and the scale was showing him 10 lbs skinnier.  Macie and I longed for this time with him, and tried to make the day as easy and happy as possible.  We were accepting of the fact that this was our life - if we are married to Eric, we are married to the service industry and also the man who wants to beat last years sales, make memories for every family walking in the door, and the man who will push beyond any limit.
BY THE WAY:  Customers in restaurants during this time of year, are not always the most cheerful group either (Keep that in mind next time you dine out - tip your server extra, and try to be understanding!).  You would not believe some of the most horrific things people say when their ravioli is cold, or when they have to wait 30 minutes for a table.  Some will cut you down so hard, you can't help but wonder how they are allowed out in society.


Well here we are  - it's December 6, and Eric has a new job.  Twice now, I have visited the crazy mall and Macie whines, "I WISH DADDY STILL WORKED HERE!!!"  Um. Not me!!!
We have a happier, more rested, and well fed dad in the house!  YEP!  And he comes home at a decent hour.  He's already done some Christmas shopping!  He is in charge of Buddy the Elf on the Shelf - who is up to no-good almost all the time.  He was home last Saturday night (unheard of!!!), he gets to go to Macie's Christmas program next Friday night!!!  Our front lights look like the Griswalds.  He's made 3 batches of Christmas cookies.  And here is the icing on the cake for me... We are going to have him HOME on Christmas Eve!