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Level Zero: Let's Begin

I’ve decided to blog. At least for now. Thanks for tuning in. Really. Because I’ve just decided that a blog is like a radio. You can turn it off or stop paying attention, but it keeps going on. Just like the thoughts in my head. And I’ve decided I need to find a way to release them. Unfortunately, talking my head off to all of my acquaintances doesn’t really have the desired end…at least probably not for them. So, I will write.  And if you choose to tune in for a few minutes now and again, I’d be pretty satisfied. 
First one…in the Spirit of the Season. We’ll go long for starters.

A list of 25 perfect things about Christmas and family in Kansas…past and present. Specific and General. Touching and…not-so-touching.

1.    Christmas shopping. Especially when we all go together…and yet are buying for each other. Trying to avoid one another by attacking different registers is pretty fun. But even more so…watching Kathryn look so at home in the toy isle, particularly wearing a Captain America plastic mask complete with plastic shield.
2.    Sleeping in...or just sleep in general.
3.    Being initially woken up before seven by the noise of the younger siblings. It used to annoy me, but now…hearing my mom freak out while they all spank her bum and then scatter in a classic “hit and run” style has me laughing into my pillow.
4.    Throwing my wet/used towel on my germaphobic brother and watching devilishly as he yells, runs from the room, commandeers a Lysol can and proceeds to spray himself (and me) down from head to foot.
5.    Free reign over the piano. You can never find a free one on campus.
6.    Christmas stories! Dad reads one a night for the 13 days before Christmas. Always brings back the true Spirit of Christmas.
7.    Dinners….that I do not make myself. And that are gourmet delicious. Nothin like good ole home-cookin’
8.    No inhibitions. It’s hard to be judged as a weirdo when you live with nine others. And I mean that in the best sense.
9.    Family discussions. Pretty sure we’ve revamped our plan to change the world every time. And it never gets old. Age brings experience. Experience brings wisdom. Modification is a natural necessity. 
10. Not counting how many cookies I have eaten. Among other, clearly more important things, Christmas is a little bit about stuffing your face with sweets before New Year’s Resolutions bring on the sugar diet.
11.  Dancing like an idiot in the unfinished basement to the Pirate’s of the Caribbean soundtrack on my bro’s mp3. The catch…I only had one of the earphones. My sister had the other. Yes, she was dancing too.
12. Movies! I won’t deny it, we should really not be so obsessed with them…but my family loves movie watching. Everything from the classic Christmas Carols of various time periods, to BBC Robin Hood tv show marathons. Perfect.
13. Family: Talking, laughing, card games, singing at the top of our lungs, going caroling, playing basketball, and even sharing stupid Youtube videos. What can I say? If it’s with family, it’s worth it.
14. Me time. I know it’s all about family, but Christmas break also means a break from studying…and that means I occasionally need a little me time. Working on the books im writing, or writing music, reading, or whatever else I can come up with on my own.
15. Kansas weather. I don’t mind the snow when it cancels school in the morning and melts that afternoon. Shivering in the basement at night, and then being tempted to drive on the open roads with the windows down during the day….it’s a good feeling.
16. Having my little niece come out to enjoy Christmas with us!!! And of course Michelle and Brad…her official escort (aka: parents). Pretty sure she is the cutest niece in the world.
17. Convincing my brother to lower my stocking to my basement abode on Christmas morning  with a rope…..yeah, I don’t really know.
18. When we’re all still somewhat afraid to answer the door when my parents are gone…only to realize that we left the poor sister missionaries holding a massive pile of blankets outside in the cold for five minutes and two doorbell rings before we let them in….yeah. that was bad.   
19. When sleeping on couches in the basement is more comfortable than sleeping on that stupid excuse for a mattress in my college bedroom.
20. Mamma and daddy. Time with them is always the best.
21.  Mom’s endless baking…meant for caroling, of course, but often finding its way into my stomach.
22. As much as I hate snow, I can’t help but be mystified by the first snowfall…pure and perfect. A reminder that the world really is a beautiful place. If we have to make a mark …let’s make sure it’s worth it.
23. Late Christmas Eve finishing up of special surprises for siblings/parents is always fun.
24. That feeling Christmas morning…different from the childhood  “what did I get” excitement to a simple satisfaction of being together.. I love being with family at that moment when we share gifts given from the heart.
25. An opportunity to remember the why and how of life. The central focus is and should always be Christ.

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