What to do??

Miss Hope is in a bit of a quandary over here at The Edge.

I'll give you a little bit of back story before presenting my issue.

When The Man and I were dating, where to spend holidays wasn't a big deal. I was going to be at my parent's house and that was that. The first Christmas we were dating, he spent his time with his family since the Navy doesn't recognize holidays and he wanted to be with his own parents for the first time in over, I *believe*, eleven years. The next Christmas wasn't a huge deal, either. He spent Christmas with me and my family and I went with him the week of New Year's to meet his family as we were pretty serious and talking about marriage. The girls stayed back in South Carolina and this girl flew, for the first (and haven't since-long story I'll have to share later) time, to New Mexico to meet my future in-laws.

Before we got married, I told that man I would go anywhere in the world with him 363 days out of the year, but all I ask is to spend Christmas with my parents/family. Christmas is very important deal for my family and my Daddy is guaranteed to be in a festive mood for his favorite holiday. He agreed because his parents had moved to Nebraska and he swore he would not go someplace where there was the possibility of getting snowed in.

And so life went on.

When we moved to Southeast Georgia, we would gladly travel back to South Carolina to spend Christmas with my family. We wouldn't have it any other way. For four Christmases, I-95 North bound was our holiday road to happiness and Santa.

Now, here we are. In our "forever" home. That has a lovely stone fireplace in the center of the living room. I am seriously excited over decorating my new home for the holidays....to the point that I've bought more decorations than gifts and must fix that soon! I want to be in our home for Christmas. I want to wake up in my bed Christmas morning and take pictures of the kids coming down the staircase to see what Santa Claus left them. I want to stay in my pajamas all day sipping coffee, napping, playing with new toys, and just relaxing.

I want to go to my parent's, too. I don't want to miss a Christmas with my parents, my brother and sister in law, my niece and nephew, my Grandma and Aunt.

~sigh~

I'm tired of taking two vehicles because one can't hold us AND the gifts that need to go for the Christmas Visit. I'm tired of turning around and loading up two vehicles to come back home to lonely Christmas decorations that weren't properly enjoyed.

I've talked with our family about staying here for the holiday and they can go either way. The kids are older and staying here in their own home is very appealing. At the supper table one night, I got animated talking about starting our very own new traditions. I wanted input from them as to what we could do just for us! I mentioned getting Nana's breakfast quiche recipe for Christmas morning (that is GOOD stuff), when the girls shot each other a look. Finally, Paige was brave enough to say the quiche is "ok", but they really only eat it because Nana cooks it. I was shocked. They would prefer The Man to make Mimi's (his mom) pancakes because they are amazing. I see.

I was frustrated because I felt our little family didn't have a single solitary tradition of our own for the season.

I was wrong.

When The Man and I were talking about when to start decorating, I said, "I better stock up on the hot chocolate, because when the ornaments come out, Makenna will be heading to the kitchen to make her Holiday Decorating Hot Chocolate."

We have a tradition!!! Of our very own!!

Time is flying by so quickly and I'm going to have to make up my mind very soon as to what we're going to do come December 24. We're heading that way for Thanksgiving next week for a few days and I'm looking forward to the good eating that'll be going on.

I just don't know what to do next month. I want to make every body happy and we all know making every one happy is near impossible.

I really need this decision to be easy. I really do.