Juggling

I love living closer to family. Have I mentioned that? I love that Andrew knows his relatives now, and we get to have short visits, and there is no airport nightmare to make all that come true.

But now it is the holidays. And as most of you already know, it is quite the juggling act. I guess I'm naive. We used to just fly in, and then drive to all the family functions. No big deal.

Since the last time we flew home for Christmas, something major has changed in our lives. Andrew. 35 pounds of pure Christmas delight. Who would want to miss out on this little guy? Not me. And I really and truly want to spend it with everyone. Why can't this be done? We only have 2 sets of parents. I only have one married sibling. How hard could it be?

So we are arranging it. It's like a giant logic puzzle, trying to figure out who will be where when. Heaven forbid the opposite sides of the family rub elbows. It's not what you think. They get along really well. But they are both too considerate of the other. They don't want to steal "Andrew time" from the other side.

And then there is the guilt. I've never experience holiday guilt before. It's really heart wrenching. I feel like I'm "choosing" sides, and breaking the other's heart. Take Thanksgiving. I just sort of decided to go to my in-laws. We have to take turns, so why not start out up there. Nobody is making me feel bad about it, my mom is unnaturally understanding about these things. Yet I feel guilty. Same thing with Christmas. We finally have a date where my 2 sisters and parents can meet and have Christmas together. But that means canceling on my in-laws. I shouldn't feel guilty. They have us for Thanksgiving. All's fair, right? But I feel guilty.

I really want to spend the holidays with my in-laws. I really want to spend the holidays with my family. Maybe the people of West Virginia are on to something. Marrying your relatives would make everything easier!