Merry Chaos

December 27, 2009 - 10:33 PM

I am at my fifth official Christmas celebration in the last two weeks.

This one is in Bakersfield, California, with my future in-laws.

I love them.

One set of in-laws is from Florida, and they met us in LA to drive north to Bakersfield. Stephanie, the wife of Collin's mom‘s brother John (yeah), is a bail bondswoman and entertained us with stories all the way up I-5.

When we got to our destination, we went to target with Joan, Anne's sister. Anne is Collin's mom. We bought a board game for all of us to play later.

When we returned, although sleep deprived, we wrapped presents for the Christmas celebration. Shortly following that, we all checked into our hotel, which was extraordinarily nice, and got ready for dinner.

Then we met up with Collin's two cousins: Camille, 11, and Rose, 7, who entertained us for the rest of the evening.

Collin's cousin's boyfriend Van cooked a fabulous dinner, which was followed by a birthday celebration for all of the January birthdays.

Then we played Apples to Apples until it was time for bed instead of watching sports on TV (thank God).

Given that my writing is stark and uninteresting, I hope you can infer my exhaustion. I got two hours of sleep last night. This has been a pattern all break.

Although I love my new in-law families, of which there are two, and although I must spend the holidays with all my lovely relatives. This break has been sleepless, restless, draining, filled with obligations, void of exercise, and generally chaotic.

I can't wait to get back to school. It will be such a relief to get back into the swing of things in Eugene again. The Emerald City has become a haven for me. It is my home.

At college in Eugene, I feel safe, secure, structured, stimulated, and satisfied.

Until then, I will be keeping my chin up and making the best of all of the blessings I have in my ever evolving family.