This morning I was grateful that I woke up at a decent hour. I prayed and watched the mass and got the kids up and off to a good start.

I thought about how I used to be so irritable during the holidays and how I used to just see it as a big pain in my ass. I am grateful that I can appreciate and enjoy these times now despite the chaos.

At mid-day I jumped on my wife for using the broom to wipe the table and she got very angry. I had to be assertive one time and then let it go. I had to pray for God to keep me from being angry and I had to stop thinking about it and thinking critically about her. With a little time she recovered. I don't know if I was completely right and I don't want to review it with her but I need to make amends for getting after her.

In the afternoon we had another Christmas dinner with my nephew and my parents. We had a great meal and a great time. My body language to my sister in law was less than warm and I need to work on this. I tried to talk to my dad about the Christmas truce story in World War I. I could tell that he wasn't too interested and I never got to finish it. I know that I have a desire to reach him about spiritual matters and I find myself developing expectations when I find ways to work this into conversations. I realize that I was disappointed. I ask God to help me with this so that I can remain willing and find peace. We had fun, playing washers and practicing baseball with the boys.

In the evening I got to go to a meeting, I was grateful.