Wishing you a snot-free Christmas.

Christmas seemed to sneak up on us, and there are many things I intended to do but just never got around to. For our family in Denver, we hope that you are not snowed under. Trust me when I say that I mailed your presents in "plenty" of time...if they did not make it there, blame the postal service and God.

Back in October when I had grand plans for my Christmas cards this year, I began writing a poem set to the tune of "A Night Before Christmas." I planned to make our cards by hand -all 75 of them - and enclose our first-ever Christmas letter (the poem). After more than a month of card-(self)-induced stress, I abandoned the idea and ordered photo cards online. I never revisited the poem until tonight, but I wanted to finish it and share it with you here. It needs polishing, but seriously, I have other things to do. Santa is coming, you know.

We are battling the snot monster at our house. Both Liv and I are producing enough mucus to solve the world's energy crisis if it could only be converted to some sort of power. We had to take Liv to the urgent care clinic last Sunday, where they concluded (after several horrible tests) that she has pneumonia. It is very hard to see her so sick especially at a time of year that should be filled with excitement.

So here's the poem:

It’s just weeks before Christmas, and all through the nest
Every creature is stirring, no time for a rest!
The stocking are not hung, the tree not upright
Oh dear, Santa is coming in just a few nights!

Liv is a wild child and hates to go to bed,
Causing visions of margaritas to dance in my head,
She thinks it is funny to wear her daddy’s caps,
But she prefers to forgo her twice daily naps.

2006 was quite busy here in the Mates’ household
Why do we live in Texas where it rarely gets cold?
It turned to December in a blink of the eye
And it was 90 degrees without a cloud in the sky.

January’s National Championship was cause for celebration
Though the loss of Vince Young equaled frustration,
“Touchdown!” Liv yells every time the Horn’s score
As you can see, Longhorn fans are hardcore.

February came and Liv started crawling
It wouldn’t be long before tail she was hauling
More rapid than eagles, a-crawling she came
To the bathroom, the bedroom, I might go insane!

Now Dice! Now Poker! Now slots and buffets!
Mama and daddy just needed a break from this phase
So we made a little getaway to Vegas in March
And left Liv for Granny and Papaw to watch

With April came Spring and beautiful wild flowers

To Crockett we drove for hours and hours
Liv looked adorable in her fancy Easter dress
So we went off to church and hoped for the best.

And then, in a twinkling, our baby turned one
And we decided for siblings she would have none
On her birthday in May, Liv received presents galore
Our house started to look like a giant toy store.

Come June, the world we knew turned upside down
She was walking, then running, then climbing around
One little, two little steps she did take
Someone please tell me why she’s always awake.

Her eyes how they twinkle! Her hair, what a sight!
Her cheeks are quite chubby, she’s such a delight!
Her favorite TV shows are Barney and Blue’s Clues
And she will only wear these plastic pink shoes.

To Denver we traveled on the Fourth of July
And we learned that they shouldn’t allow toddlers to fly
Had a great visit with the cousins, Grumpa and Bunny too
We were crazy and went with five kids to the zoo.

Sean turned a year older in August with dread
When mentioning his age, lightly we tread
He watches Olivia while from home he works
Playing golf twice a week is just one of the perks.

For Halloween we encountered a big bunny rabbit
Be careful that eating candy does not become habit.
She loves her Granny more than anything on Earth.

It doesn't matter that it is I who gave birth.

They are chubby and plump, right grouchy old dogs,
Liv laughs when sees them on the bed sawing logs.
With a loud bark and a wag of their tail
We always know when it time to get mail.

The end of the year is upon us, and cold weather is here,
We’ve filled all the stocking, and now Santa in near.
“Wow!” Liv exclaims when she sees Christmas lights
Too bad they are around only a few more nights.

So now we have completed the 2006 Mates tour
(Though this poem was a little long to endure)
And now I must go, push the clutter out of sight,
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!