I've Lost My Christmas Spirit

I know. It's only November 30 and here I sit feeling like I wish it was January. I have lost my spirit before it has had a chance to really break out. Here are my reasons. And yea, I realize this is breaking my 30 days of delightful aka positive posts. Sorry. Count me among the humans.

1) I don't feel like buying this year. Seriously. My kids do not need one more single thing that comes packaged in pretty paper and pretty ribbons. (And I seriously do NOT want to be stepping over, around, and ON them for the next 18 years)

2) Shopping for my husband is a nightmare because a)he buys what he wants when he wants it thus leaving me nothing to buy and b)no matter how much I try to wow him I never wow him and he always goes overboard thus making me feel very guilty.

3) I do the tree sans my husband. He wants no part of it. I find that seriously depressing. I opened my big mouth about 5 seconds too late tonight when he was entering "the building" from walking the dog. Just in time to hear me tell the kids, "I HATE doing this because your dad NEVER wants to help." Talk about a foot in the mouth. His response? "I don't do it because it's ALWAYS like this!" Do you think he meant like this?
I honestly think the doing it myself "for the kids" is just a bit overwhelming honey. That's all. Really.

My favorite first born son managed to take a few shots that seemed a bit more festive (thank you good son for lugging up all the boxes from the basement for us)
and though I felt like this must of the time...
I tried really hard not to crank on the kids for refusing to stand up and "spread" the ornaments around a bit.
In spite of it all the tree is up.
and it's over. It has to be all good from here right?

The truth of the matter is that I haven't lost Christmas. Because Christmas isn't about a tree and it's branches being spread just so. It's ornaments adorned perfectly. It isn't even about me and my family doing something together wholly. It's about God sending His Son for me. And for you. And no earthly thing can take the place of what Christmas is all about. So as I stood there and admired the tree I took in the cheerfulness heard in my excited childrens' voices. I paused for a moment and remembered that childlike joy and though I long for it, I know much better presents await me in heaven where perfection and wholeness abound. And then oh praises I will have my joy.

Sunday Beautiful Sunday

Today was a good day. Church in the morning with absolutely NO yelling or fighting between my kids or my kids and I. Woot.

A trip to Walgreens to buy some essentials (b-day card, plastic wrap, tape, etc). No fights!!! Woot woot!

Home again home again jiggity jig. ZERO TV until after 6:30 pm when "the Law" arrived home. I actually found some books that belonged to my favorite first born son that are proving to be enjoyed by my favorite lil girl in the world! If you are trying desperately to keep your children from the ridiculous Goose Bumps and other Vampire, Werewolf, etc. subjects that they don't really need to be feeding on maybe give these authors a try. Fred E. Katz. He has a series called "Spine Chillers". They are suspenseful and maybe a tad spooky but on a spiritual level demonstrate Christian character. Paul McCusker. Adventures in Odyssey series. Sooo happy that I could find these books packed away. Maybe holding onto some things is a good thing.

Here's hoping you had an extra beautiful Sunday.

Saturday Snippets

My day started at 7am. It's when the Advil wore off and left my right shoulder blade feeling like it was wrenched in two and my arm numb. I don't like the discomfort but I fear if not for pain I would lie in bed all day some days being lazy.

We had things to do today. Gifts to get to be delivered tomorrow through our church and grocery shopping. We had a short time line because we had a super cool invite to make Christmas centerpieces in the afternoon.

I was her former babysitter as a teen. She and her husband took turns teaching me to drive and she taught me to parallel park in the parking lot just hours before I took my test. She's been in my life for years. I love her. Every year since I first had a home to call my own she's been making me Christmas centerpieces. She's been making them for a LOT of people. This year she decided to have a party and teach us how to make our own. It was awesome.

She provided the greens, ribbon, oasis, container, and candle. She offered her talent in the form of instruction. She gave us tips and such to make them perfect and personal. It was such an awesome idea. I actually got to spend time in her company and not the hustle and bustle of gift drop off/pick up. I'll cherish it.

I was nervous because "the Law" was working today and my precious mama has prayer meeting on Saturdays. I could not imagine how I'd keep the complaints of the little people to a minimum. Oh how God works things out.


See?

The future pilot was very patient for a couple of hours. Then he found a buddy. All was well.

There were a lot of productive hands working...

And in the end we brought two home.

My favorite little girl in the world is created this one...

And here is mine.


What a fun day.

Chillin'

Black Friday. On this day a lot of folks bolted off to the stores to catch great deals and fight crowds. I'm pooped. I took the day to recover from lack of sleep and a long day of visiting and eating.

It was nice to just spend the day resting. The kids were well behaved--maybe they are exhausted too. It is now 7:44pm and they seem to have gotten a wind. No matter, "the Law" is home from work now so I have an ally if they get out of control.

Tomorrow I will be heading out to a friend's to put together a centerpiece for our Christmas table. She is so very talented and instead of making the many she usually does, has decided to share her gift of know-how with us. It should be a lot of fun.

I have a few more days before I have to go back to work. It's time for more lists and a few good books. Nothing too strenuous or stressful. Nope. Just a little bit of kicking back before the next flurry of holiday activity picks up.

Special note to my unexpected overnight guests: Thank you so much for staying. It was a special treat for all of us. And to my sis-in-law who came over this morning with the happiest little girl on the planet and baby A. Hugs to you. What a heartwarming Friday you made it.

Thankful Thanksgiving

Reminding you to cherish what really matters. It's not the food, or how it's prepared. It's cherishing those you are with and being thankful for the blessings you've been given.

1. My home
2. My family both far and near
   
3. A good and stable job
4. Christian teachers
5. Everyone who is a positive influence to my children
6. Christian women who show me by example how to love my husband
7. For the chance to host Thanksgiving for my extended family. (Even though we will be minus our England crew--if you are reading know that you are missed!!!)
   
8. That my father will eventually have relief from the pain that has plagued him far too long
9. Rest

Thank you heavenly Father for another wonderful year. May You not be forgotten amidst the frenzy of this holiday season.

Can Things Get Any Easier?

I was diligent. I worked hard. I took baby steps. And took them often. I organized and planned and didn't stress. I planned simplicity and it worked! As the night draws to a close my kitchen floor is mopped--and no my mommy didn't do it for me this time. I did it all by myself. On my hands and knees. Every inch as well as the hall and bathroom. It's the only way a floor should be cleaned if you ask me. Mops just tend to push all the clumpy stuff you miss with the broom into the corners to become fossilized "things" to be found later by some teeny toddler.

As I was on my hands and knees scraping something blue off the floor my little brother, the father to baby A and baby B, phoned. He was looking for a turkey. I told him I was taken. I told him mine was defrosting in the fridge. He was stoked. He very cheerily said, "I need it! Can I have it? I want to cook it!" Psssh. Who was I to argue? After all the theme this year is simplicity! So after I finished the floor and fed the family I carted Mr. Turkey Lurkey over to his house. He promises me it will taste just like the turkey legs at Hershey Park. I. Can't. Wait. Yum!

Oh and I got to steal a few baby snuggles while there. Those guys are just too precious. Their big sister played with the future pilot. Those two are becoming great pals. I'm loving it.

So, I get to go to bed early tonight. No turkey to brine. I discovered I have not one but TWO packages of prepared pie crust so the pies will be a cinch tomorrow. I prefer them warm so I really would rather make them tomorrow.

My to do list for the morning? Is delightfully shorter. Oh I have so much to be thankful for.

Winding Down

With the dilemma of whether to use paper plates or china out of the way things are falling into place. I'm anxiously awaiting the cooking frenzy that will begin tomorrow night. Pies, glorious pies. I'm trying a new one this year. A pumpkin rum pie. It will be in addition to traditional pumpkin and cherry pies. I'll give a review. Let you know if I'm left to choke it down myself or sulking because they ate it all.

I'm at a loss for words. Seriously. I'm drained. I took a little down time and actually watched a TV movie while I folded laundry this evening. That wasn't the brightest idea since it was a bit sad and my eyes are burning with that, 'we're gonna be so swollen you can't apply your make-up correctly in the morning' feeling. I'm dreading it to. I tell myself over and over again NOT to do that if I have to be seen in public the next day. Somehow I just keep watching and crying.

Tomorrow's post won't be as lame. I mean I think I can do better. Maybe. If I can see through the pie filling and flour dust.

Oh, and the china dilemma? Mix and match. My wonderful mama is bringing half of her's. They'll match nicely with the same silver rim and slightly different pattern. Did I ever tell you I love my mama?