We survived! A total of 18 people were in and out of this tiny house yesterday (at one point there were 13 at one time!). There were a hundred presents or more ripped open... an outrageous pile of plastic junk sitting underneath my tree. I wish that people could learn some self control and practical thinking. The girls are happy though, and despite my disgust of the grip hold consumerism has on our society, their happiness is my main priority. I am emotionally and physically exhausted though - as is Tim. All things considered, we did pretty amazing I think. Every odd was stacked against us and we managed to get through the day without any major breakdowns - and I can honestly say that regardless of the 630 am wake up call, I loved spending Christmas morning with my family <3 We are now down to our third, and final, Christmas celebration. We'll head out to the Burns residence this afternoon for more food, family, and presents! I can officially say after tonight, I will be DONE.. physically, mentally & emotionally. It's really so odd for me to be changing all the regular routines I've grown to know - nothing this year was done the same.. and as unnerving as that is for me, it's also a bit thrilling. I feel like for the first time in my adult life - I am doing things the way *I* want to do them! Emma asked me this morning when she woke up if it was a new year. I told her that accrding to the calendar that no, it was not, but that our "new year" started as soon as we were ready for it too. Her reply? "I would like the year t start new, today. I think a new start would be good." She's going to give me a run for my money that girl - wise beyond her years, without a doubt. Alas, it is breakfast/baking/cleaning time. Happy materialtistic-consumerism-bullshit day.