A Very Merry Christmas with the Plunketts

Christmas Eve Eve or Christmas Adam as I heard it called this year, we spent the evening with some family friends we have known since I was a very small child. They are our beach buddies! You have seen them have their blog debut before when we went to Panama City this year and Myrtle Beach two years ago. They are wonderful people, full of love and laughter, and this Christmas with them was no different!

They spoil us so bad in so many different ways, and while we are alright with them buying the kids something small around Christmas I wish they wouldn't buy us something, too! But, I am glad they did :) (in the famous words of my Aunt Alisa.) I got a gorgeous multi-colored stone sterling silver bracelet. I had spotted it at Kohl's while shopping for people on my list, but you know how when you are shopping at the holidays you typically forego spoiling yourself. I didn't even tell anyone about it or that I wanted it. And, then poof! There it was in my hands...well on my arm. :)

Gail does so much work decorating her home for Christmas (well, I am sure Mista Joe and Shane the Shark help too!) And, the kids adore it. They always like to dance to Santa's "Jingle Bell Rock" song.

Isn't her tree beautiful? And, look at the village! She is so patient with the kids as they touch all of it! And, this is just about a fourth of it. It is nearly four times this size shown in this small picture here.

So, we swapped gifts, and went out to eat for some delicious pasta and Jesus's birthday cupcakes. But, really that isn't all that we shared. Not toys, jingly music, spaghetti or cupcake sprinkles. But, our time together. That is what is so important to me. I am so grateful they are in our lives right now. While they always have been, years have passed where we are all so busy, you forget to keep in touch. But, I think God put them back in my life again here recently for several reasons (one being that Shane is also a type 1 juvenile diabetic and God knew he and Gail would be such a wonderful support system full of listening, understanding ears that others cannot duplicate). But, another reason is because they are just awesome people. You feel drawn towards them. They pull you close because you will rarely meet people so loving and giving as them.

Thank you, Lord, for a really, really great Christmas gift, our friends. They are much better than any bracelet!