Navidad!

Hello!  This is Mike.  We have been oh so silent for many months, and for that, our apologies...or at least mine. 

Let me catch you up, so the last time we mentioned anything we were counting down the days to Peru.  it seems we are always counting down the days to Peru :-)  Since then, we had an amazing time in Peru.  It was a great week and a half that should've been longer.  I remember how much I love Peru and Karen's family when I go, and I am sad to leave.  But at the same time I am happy to come home to my job and apartment with my wifey. 

I started a great new job that has moved us to...TEXAS!  So no longer are we checking in from Philly, we are Texans now (but don't worry, not Cowboys fans).

So today is Christmas Eve, and we hadn't really gotten into the Spirit like in years past.  It got to the 22nd, and once we realized we would in fact be celebrating another Christmas, I decided to help out Karen in the Spirit department.  And, me, too.  She went out to get some kitchen stuff, for the turkey.  As an aside, I never understood why there was so much turkey at the holidays.  I mean, you just barely get finished with leftovers from Thanksgiving, and you buy a whole other turkey for Christmas?  Make it ham (Virginia, of course), or steak, or...well...food is yummy and I love it; so turkey is good, too :-)

So as she was out, without me (that took convincing.  I told her I needed time alone to set up her surprise), I frantically went about trying to set up Christmas for her before she returned.  This proved to be difficult as I had no idea when she would return.  But she unknowingly gave plenty of time.  I put up lights on our balcony and in the house.  I put up some garland around our serving area.  I put up the Creche, and I hung our stockings...not by a chimney with care, but still. 

She came home to a Christmas miracle.  No tree, but still Christmas-y.  This is likely the last year for many years to come where we can go light on decor, and the minimalist Christmas suited me fine.  Few presents, but all were well-thought by both of us, and a lot of time together.  My new job affords me something I haven't been used to for a while- time off.  And, more importantly, time with Karen. 

So, yes; even though we are far from Peru and Karen's family, and far from Virginia and my family, and far from Philly and the friends we made over the last 3 years- we are in closer than ever before because this year, my best present to her and her to me has been...time.

Merry Christmas,
The Garbers