WAW w/Exit Affair or WW? - Divorced Anyway (6)

[BL42]

Thanks DnJ! Merry Christmas to you and your kids as well!

It was a hectic week with unanticipated craziness and priorities at work, S6 stomach bug, and prepping for the Holidays. I was super stressed about making it special/perfect for the S6 and D3, having them for Christmas Eve Day but not Christmas Day this year.

I'm happy to report everything went wonderfully and couldn't have asked for anything better (in light of the D situation). We went to a drive-through lights show earlier in the week with a Santa workshop where the kids got a letter from Santa saying he choose our house to be visited on Christmas Eve Day and S6 was beside himself (still doesn't suspect anything so I see and hear the wonderment in his eyes and voice). So, albeit a day earlier than most...we still put out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer, read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and went to bed will full anticipation of Santa visiting in the morning. The kids fell asleep in a snap which gave me time to play Santa without a midnight or 2am bedtime, and of course they woke up super early in the morning. The kids tore through their presents and were overjoyed with everything. My parents came over to make the traditional "Grandma's Christmas Tree Pancakes" and we actually got a bit of snow so went to a local hill and used the brand new sleds Santa had delivered and had a blast. S6 loves it as always and D3 is such a daredevil it's ridiculous, jumping up and throwing her body on the sled to speed down the hill LOL. We spent the rest of the day playing with various presents, then got dressed up and went to Christmas Eve Mass together with D3 singing and dancing in the pew LOL. We drove by a neighborhood known for their lights display on the way back and both kids were exhausted.

After church I had to take them to ExW and won't be able to be with them tomorrow on Christmas Day, which put a damper on it, but really believe I made the best of that situation and made memories with them.

Anyway...tomorrow is my first Christmas Day without seeing the kids so I plan to go on a hike or work out when I wake up, am volunteering at a free Christmas dinner / soup kitchen for a few hours in the afternoon, and finally probably having dinner with my parents. Not the Christmas Day I would've hoped and planned for 2 years ago, but am trying to have a positive mindset and making the best of the situation.

Hope everyone here who celebrates it has wonderful Christmas! Thanks for the support.