Tonight my stepson Jonathan is on his way home from NC. He originally said he was going to leave around 1:30. This morning I asked him to please text when he left so we’d have an idea whether he would be here for dinner. At 4:30 when he sent a note he was leaving a little late and would be home in 4 hours, we all laughed. Good luck with that. Meanwhile, Kathryn and Mike had an opportunity to get some tickets for the Caps game, so off they went with Mike saying they’d probably be home before Jonathan.

I can remember coming home for holidays and even when I was out on my own, as Jonathan is, there is something wonderful about returning home. Maybe it’s the anticipation of a little spoiling or the comfort of sleeping once again in your old bed. In Jonathan’s case, it’s probably the anticipation of food he likes but doesn’t make for himself. You don’t have to worry about leftovers when he’s here.

Although Matthew only lives about 10 minutes from us, he’ll probably stay tomorrow night so we aren’t waiting all day for him on Christmas. Early mornings aren’t his thing but it’s Christmas and Kathryn will be up bright and early. Better to have him here than waiting on him as sometimes he takes the time you ask him to be here as a mere suggestion. We won’t see Kristina until January when she visits from CA. We’ll FaceTime her nice and early Christmas day so she won’t feel left out. I’m sure she will love that!

The house will be loud the next week or so. Jonathan’s friends have always used our house as their hangout and even though they now own their own places, somehow they migrate back here. We do enjoy catching up with them and it will be good to hear their laughter from downstairs as they hang out and catch up with each other.

So here’s hoping we see Jonathan this evening sometime. I hope he wasn’t expecting a huge welcome and it’s just me and Smokey and it is almost time for Smokey’s pre-bed nap. I have a feeling as long as there’s food when he gets here, it will be the welcome he was expecting.