Susan R. Opel
At this very minute, I am in my home state of Michigan for Christmas, and I’m seriously giddy! There’s nothing like being surrounded by family and friends, you know?
Today I am getting together with my college roommate and suitemates for a little reunion. The four of us had some hilarious and fun times at Concordia College, Ann Arbor, MI, in the early 90’s jamming out to EMF and Vanilla Ice. Now 18 years later, it’ll be exciting to share our experiences since then.
Tomorrow, I’ll be gathering with all sorts of old friends from my alma mater, Valley Lutheran High School for a night of karaoke and reminiscing. We’re all a little older and grayer (underneath the hair color), but we still know how to rock!
And the rest of this week and into the weekend I’ll be basking in the Christmas joy with my sweet family. My brother Kurt and his family spent the last two Christmases in Istanbul, Turkey, so I’m awfully thrilled to spend time with my cute nephews (and my brother and sister-in-law, too, of course!). My brother Paul is coming from upstate New York, and my sister will arrive from Utah on Thursday. My adorable parents will have a houseful! We’ll spend time celebrating our Lord’s birth at one of my favorite places on the planet, St. John Lutheran Church.
Yes, spending time with family and reconnecting with friends is one of my all-time favorite parts of the Christmas season. One way that we can stay connected all throughout the year is to send handmade cards. That personal touch makes all the difference in saying, “You mean the world to me!”
I recently created this sparkly thank you card using the brand new L Letterpress from Lifestyle Crafts, and I think I just might send it to a fabulous friend in 2010 just to say thanks for being so awesome.
This year I’m particularly thankful for Facebook! Both my college and high school reunions came about because of our contacts there. And did you know that you can be connected to Paper Crafts magazine through our Facebook Fan Page? Become a fan and join in the rollicking good time!
So now I want to know, who are you looking forward to seeing during this festive time of year? Leave me a comment by Friday, December 25th at midnight MST, and you can win this stash of goodies to create your own cards for someone special. We’ll announce the winner on Monday, December 28th!
Festive goodies courtesy of TaDa Creative Studios and American Crafts.
Wishing you a Christmas filled with family and friends,
Susan
This Christmas I am looking forward to seeing the new addition to our family. His name is Mason and he’s a gift from God. So glad that our family continues to grow. His mother, my niece, is very active with the youth in her church so I know he’s growing up in a loving Christian family. What a joy it will be to see his little drooling smile! I know Santa will be seeing him for the first time this year!
I am looking forwards to being home for Christmas this year. We didn’t have to think about the size of the gifts since we don’t have to ship them anywhere since they’ll be home!! YAY!!
I am visiting at my inlaws now and will look forward to stopping to see my parents during the holiday season also before heading home!!
I am looking forward to seeing my daughter. We will spend the entire holiday scrapbooking, making cards and creating all kinds of crafts. She is my best friend and I miss her so much.
Well since 90% of my family is here (missing one nephew and all my in-law side) and I will see them like I have every month not sure there is anyone in particular that I look forward to seeing. Just enjoy the fact that we all live close and enjoy each other’s company enough to plan to be together for a turkey supper on Christmas eve. With the extended family we are now doing the Eve supper and letting folks go to the other partners’ family for Christmas day supper.
I am looking forward to seeing my dear daughter, who has been off to college…she will be here during her break for two weeks. I can hardly wait.
I’m not going to see family for the holiday this year, so I will be enjoying a peaceful celebration at our home with my husband. Thanks for the chance to win such great goodies.
I’m definitely looking forward to seeing my parents. They live overseas, so I only get to see them on the Skype web cam, but it’ll be awesome to see them in person.
I’m looking forward to seeing my family! My parents, brother, and sister-in-law live in Canada and I only see them a few times a year, so it’s always fantastic to spend time with them when I can.
I most want to see my Mom healthy and whole and sitting in her chair at her house..but that is not going to come true since she is in ICU. So my next wish is to spend Christmas eve with my girls and that is what I will be doing!
Looking forward to my parents staying with us for the week, and to my grandmother spending Christmas day with us as well.
I am looking forward to seeing both my brothers this Christmas. One of them was unable to be home last year, so this will be fun. Unfortunately, we will be missing my sister and brother-in-law, and three of my nieces. But it is important to be thankful for what we have, and I am glad my brothers will be at Mom’s this year.
looking forward to seeing BIL who has been at the Hutcheson Cancer Center for MONTHS.
~Shari R.
I’m looking forward to seeing my Mom– she hasn’t been for a visit in quite a while and I really miss her.
Beautiful card! I’m looking forward to just relaxing. We keep our Christmases pretty simply so that we CAN relax and focus on the REAL reason for the season: our Lord and Savior Christ’s birth. Merry Christmas!
I’m looking forward to spending Christmas with my stepdaughter, who only gets to see us a few times a year. It will be fun to have two little girls here for Christmas!
I’m looking forward to seeing all my nieces and nephews on my husband’s side of the family. They are spread across the country and we don’t see them often. Sadly, my daughter and SIL need to stay in California this year, so we won’t see them.
I am looking forward to spending time with my niece’s… I am long distance from my family and unable to visit, but do live by my husband’s family. I have 2 niece’s, both red head girls ages 7 and 1. I love watching them open gifts and seeing their eyes light up when I got the gifts right.
nothing better than being an aunt, let me tell ya!
I get to see my wife’s family each year. My family is all over the US.
Can’t wait until Christmas Day. After spending Christmas Eve at our church’s candlelight service, we prepare for the big day. Four grandson to spoil and watch open gifts. What a great day it will be….
Although I won’t get to see him until New Year’s Eve, I’m super excited to meet my nephew who was born right before Thanksgiving! I’m also excited to see the excitement in my kids’ eyes on Christmas morning!
I am looking forward to seeing my kids faces when they come downstairs and see that Santa has been here
I’m really looking forward to seeing my nieces that are away at college. Can’t wait to get caught up on the happenings in their lifes. Love this time of the year.
I am looking forward to just staying at home and being with family. I have a new “sister” in-law and I cant wait to spend some time with her. Merry CHRISTmas everyone.
I am looking forward to seeing my three year olds face when he sees what all santa brought for him.
super cute card, Susan! glad you’re having so much fun on your break!
I’m looking forward to seeing some friends for a relaxing evening over the break- the time goes so fast- I’m looking forward to slowing it down for a few days!
I’m thrilled to be going to Las Vegas to visit my daughter and her boyfriend and my three grand-puppies for Christmas. My fiance is going with me, and he and my daughter haven’t met yet, so it should be a very interesting Christmas!
I am looking forward to visiting my husbands family on Christmas and then spending the rest of the day at home with my dogs. I am really looking forward to New Years when my son who is in the Marine Corps comes to visit with my granddaughter.
I am looking forward to spending time with my mom on Christmas Day, her birthday! Mom will be celebrating 75 years on this Earth, and for this time together I am sooooo grateful.
Wishes and prayers that everyone will be able to connect with someone special to them on Christmas.
I am enjoying visiting with my father-in-law. My mom-in-law passed away earlier this year, so we are especially thankful to be spending Christmas with Dad this year.
I love seeing everyone in my family but I am most looking forward to seeing my cousin who has been gone for the past year with the Air Force! I am so proud of her and can’t wait to give her a big hug!
Oh, my sister in law! She’s one of my favorite people and I only get to see her at holidays. And my best who lives across the country from me.
It’s a good week!
I’m looking forward to just spending time with the family I see all the time without the daily distractions being in the way.
Looking forward to seeing my sister and nieces and nephew
I would look forward to my kids who live far away or my sisters coming….but none of them are coming!
Boo-hoo!
I’m leaving tomorrow for a drive to Utah to spend Christmas with my sister and her family.
)
Blessings,
Christine
I am looking forward to seeing my oldest son. He lives out of state now and we don’t get to see him very often, so I am thrilled that he will be home this weekend!
How I love spending quality time with my family……
I will be looking forward to spending quality time with my husband & daughter.
I am looking forward to my grandparents and my brother and his family meeting my one-year-old son for the first time. And I’m looking forward to being warm in Arizona!
I’m looking forward to seeing my nephew. He’s coming to CO to visit us for a week during his Christmas break!! This will be his first trip to CO, so we’re excited to take him snowboarding, snowshoeing, etc!!! It’s going to be FUN!!
This Christmas, we’re actually staying home! I’m looking forward to lots of stress-free days with my hubby and two boys
I already had my holiday treat. My brother and his wife came from Thailand for a family celebration.
I’m looking forward to seeing my aunt and uncle and all my cousins. A lot of us talk on facebook, but Christmas is the time we get together as a family. We are so scattered the rest of the year. It feels great to be one “unit”.
I wish i could see my dad … but he sleeps with angels now.
I’m excited for a low-stress holiday with my family, or with my dear friend (if we get the snow that’s being predicted)! Merry Christmas one and all!
Our Nana. She has Alzheimer’s but she still remembers great stories from her past. We cherish every holiday we have with her.
All my family lives in town, so I see them regularly. I’m lucky, I know! So I guess I’m looking forward to spending a great Christmas with all of them!
We would love to see our youngest grandchild, a beautiful 3 year old girl. However, my daughter and son-in-law just cannot make the trip again to spend Christmas at our house. I have never seen our granddaughter open any presents. We are all hoping next year will be the year. Merry Christmas to all!!
My baby nephew who was born in October. I am counting down the hours till we leave to him and his gorgeous big sisters!!