additions to my list

825). Meghan & I having our annual Starbucks while shopping

826). our annual run-in with Christina S. while shopping

827). having my kids both home at the same time

828). meeting a new dentist for the first time

829). feeling a little bit better about my job situation

830). good first impressions

831). someone caring about my first impression with a "whew"

832). having a bigger than usual Christmas Eve gathering

833). cabbage rolls & meat pie just because it's tradition

834). a house full of people

835). an idea for a new "corny" gift exchange game

836). the e-mails that followed the new "corny" game

837). a gift that makes you want to cry

838). a gift that costs nothing but means the most

839). Pattie giving me her most treasured pewter pegasus from Vic

840). Pattie complimenting my style & sense of humor

841). nieces & nephews driving 2-1/2 hrs through snow & ice

842). anyone who makes family their #1 priority

843). being included instead of left out

844). going to the Christmas service with out of town family

845). the best part of the service ...hearing "O Holy Night" again

846). knowing only God can take the weight off my chest

847). walking in the house and smelling dinner cooking

848). meeting the newest family member ...Trey

849). left-overs

850). hearing my mom laugh as hard as I've ever heard her laugh

851). all of the hard work my mom put in to our gifts

852). seeing John put a new Christmas ornament on the tree

853). seeing my kids interact with their aunts, uncles & cousins

854). kids noticing the qualities in their extended family

855). my family's compassion for my mom

856). calls from out of town family on Christmas Eve

857). going to the movie on Christmas night

858). not having to go in debt to buy Christmas gifts

859). a new suitcase and an airline ticket

860). gift cards

861). a house big enough to accommodate everyone

862). knowing I have a little more time with Meghan home

863). knowing the real meaning of CHRISTmas

864). if our family grows any bigger, we'll need to rent a hall

865). seeing my kids hug each other

866). watching kids (who live in the south) sledding

867). having all of the lights off except the Christmas tree lights

868). having an "other side of the family"

869). popcorn at the movie

870). making our tie blankets to give away

871). the mess after opening all of our gifts

872). the orange danishes we have every year

873). sending the kids off to be with their dad to celebrate

874). seeing Lincoln holding a baby