All I Want for Christmas

Classes are over and the only obstacles looming in the distance are my 6 final exams next week (5 of which are cumulative). I'm tired just thinking about them. I am, in fact, lying in my bed right now thinking about how tired I am. But I have to use the restroom and they are being cleaned at the moment, so I have to wait 10 more minutes before I can even think about going to bed. You probably didn't care to know that, but I'm too tired to go back and erase it. So there it shall stay. So, other than the obvious answer of SLEEP, I'm about to tell you what has me excited about Christmas break. 

1. I get to see my family

I miss them a lot. I'm excited to make a big breakfast with my dad, play Scrabble with my mom, and mess with my little brothers and sisters. I'm ready to be able to help my family out and be there for them and let them be there for me. I want my family. 

2. My house

I haven't been inside my house since January 9th of 2010. That's a stinkin' long time. Much too long. I'm ready to rush into that house like George Bailey, yelling at the top of my lungs about how much I love it. I might even kiss the stair rails. You never know. And seriously, my bed has been missing me somethin' turrible. It called last week to tell me to hurry back. I don't want to disappoint such a loyal bed, especially when its sheets come out of the hope chest and smell like cedar. Oh yeah. 

3. My church

Do  you know that there have been babies born at my church that I have not even seen yet? Do you know how much that grieves my soul? Probably not, but I'm telling you now that my soul is grieved. Believe it. And if that isn't enough, all the babies and toddlers that were my special buds have all grown up! I swear when I left them a year ago, they were still muttering in baby language and now they're in high school! . . . ok. maybe not that much change has happened. But it feels that way. My babies are growing up. *sniff* I will literally walk into church, bypass everything else, and head straight for the nursery. It's where I belong.

Also, I miss all the grown ups that shaped my life as a puny high schooler. I still can't believe how much was invested in my life. I miss them all so much. Lots of hugging going on next Sunday. You can bet on that. 

4. My friends

I miss them. Period. A year is clearly too long to be away. That's all I can say without tearing up or bursting into a sappy Disney song. Hey, don't judge. It's just what I do. 

5. Missouri

It's so pretty. I used to think the weather was weird, but it's perfectly normal compared to the bipolar emotions of Greenville weather. Plus we get snow. So fooey on Greenville and its windy coldness with no snow. I want good ol' MO. 

6. Food

Grits. Amen. My mom's pot roast. Can I get another amen? Grandma's chicken casserole. I'm already salivating. Okay, I will stop talking about food because it's too late to eat anything, even if I could find anything in my room. You can only eat so much Nutella straight from the jar. Don't judge me, it's yummy. Oh yes, I can't wait for homecooked food. 

7. Realization

It still hasn't really sunk in that I actually get to go home after a year away. I think when I walk in my front door, that's when the realization will sink in. It will be a beautiful moment. There may be tears. Also, maybe singing. I can't say for sure. I'll let you know.

Please, Christmas, don't be late. I like punctuality. Thanks. 

m(r)