Putting Up the Tree

Putting up the tree this year involved a few practical jokes between Armando and I. We were headed to Honduras for Christmas and New Years and so Armando suggested we not put up the tree because we weren't going to be here to enjoy it. The thought of not putting up a tree saddened me greatly. For me, Christmas is not just December 25th, the excitement and joy it brings me begins by putting up the tree around Thanksgiving and enjoying it's glow through the new year. I know that Armando just didn't want to spend all of the time putting it up and getting everything out. So one night when the girls should have been getting in bed, I went to the storage room and pulled out everything we needed. The girls and I put out all of the Christmas decor around the house and I placed the tree box in the living room. I thought if Armando could just help me put the base up, I could do the rest. So the next day on my way home from work, I called him and asked if he was able to put it up. He said, "Dais, It looks like we're not going to have a tree this year. I spent the entire day trying to fix a light problem because only one part of the tree lights up and we're just going to have to get a new tree next year." Ugh. My heart hurt. No tree? Oh well. I was trying to get myself to just accept the fact that we didn't have the money to buy a brand new tree right now nor could I justify such a thing when in fact we were going to be spending Christmas in Honduras. So, the girls and I drove slowly home on that dark, cold wintry night. And as we turned the corner to our driveway, there was an extra glow coming from the living room. Marcela shouted, "Papi put up the tree!!!" I immediately dialed Armando's office. Sounding as if I were in a panic, I gasped, "Armando, the house is full of smoke! Did you leave the tree plugged in when you tried to fix it?" He freaked. I laughed. We were both even. And the girls and I spent the evening decorating the tree and listening to Christmas music. 

The last picture reminds me of one I took when Marcela was just one. She loved to look at her reflection in the Christmas ornaments. Click here to see it. My how time flies.