“home” for the holidays

Kristi Corley
editor in chief

‘Tis the season for giving thanks and celebrating with friends and family. Time for office parties, Christmas programs and New Year’s Eve gatherings. This is the time of year when traditions are kept and time with family is sacred.

This year my family and I will be in Florida for the holidays. And even though we have lived in Florida for 12 years now, it’s still not “home”. It’s bittersweet I suppose. I love the traditions we have started here in Florida, but oh how I miss “home”. It’s hard knowing all of my sisters and their families – my grandma and aunts and uncles – and yes, my mom and dad will all be together in Iowa. (Okay, please pass the tissues!)

So now that it’s official that I’m here in Central Florida for the holidays, there are a few things on my personal “holiday happenings” list. First, I will be “on call” to assist a family with the birth of their second child. I was their doula with their firstborn, and being with them for their second is an honor I couldn’t pass up! With a due date of December 24, I might be spending part of my Christmas with a precious brand new baby!

Another item on my list of things to do this season is to help out at the Waterford Lakes Gift Wrapping Event! Babyourself has the privilege to sponsor this month-long event, benefiting Kiwanis Club of Avalon Park, Toys for Tots, and Second Harvest Food Bank. This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to donate toys and food items, and also get your kids involved with giving back (plus who doesn’t love having someone else wrap their presents for them?) And to make your trip to Waterford Lakes Town Center that much sweeter, check out page 11’s holiday gift card giveaway. We’ve got something for everyone!

So even though I won’t be home in Iowa this season, I will be “home” for the holidays – my home – here in Florida. (One day it will sound normal, right?)

Kristi Corley
editor in chief
kristi@babyourself.com