The weekend after Thanksgiving, we dove right into the Christmas spirit. Koa joined us the day after Christmas last year and, while I don't recall him getting into anything, I decided that instead of a fresh tree we should play it safe and use the artificial tree instead. I have seen these videos, and I didn't want to live it:
Koa was overly interested in the tree at first, but I chewed him out about it one night and he's stayed away since then. Well, pretty much. There was this little indiscretion:
Merry Christmas to you too, Koa...
I've done my best to plan and do fun things with Michaela throughout the month. We've been to Disneyland, our church's Christmas program, and a local walk-thru nativity program put on by several churches in the neighborhood.
We watched White Christmas.
I hadn't seen that one in a looong time. I tried to get Michaela to watch some of the vintage Christmas animated movies, but she's not interested yet.
We've been making some gifts and baking since school got out. Angela shared her family recipes for sugar cookies and frosting, and we had some sticky, messy fun making those yesterday and today.
No, we're not having a heatwave. It's actually been cool here. But I made her take off her pullover before we started frosting, and I pulled her hair back. You have no idea how messy this child can be...
In the midst of all the busyness, I have tried to enjoy the season. Truth is, it's not always as enjoyable as the photos look.
It's rushed.
There's a lot of pressure.
I'm sure that's not how it's supposed to be, but that's how I feel a lot of the time. And with my birthday three days before Christmas, I am usually in a funk thinking Is that it? Another year, and that's it? The only years I didn't feel that way were the ones I was married, and probably Michaela's first (and maybe second) Christmas. Something's almost always missing, and it's not going to be under the Christmas tree. KWIM?
I obviously need an attitude adjustment (on an annual basis).
It's not about me.
It's about her.
And it's about Him.
May we all experience the JOY of the Lord this Christmas no matter what is or isn't under the Christmas tree.
I don't ever remember my parents seeming harried and harassed at Christmas, maybe there wasn't AS much pressure, I know they had a lot of famliy aroundand alot of helpers, maybe they were but due to the ignorance/innocence of childhood we just didn't see it. Hopefully our babies don't either. The cooking baking looks delightful for sure!
ReplyDeleteTake a deep breath you really should enjoy some of it and seperate a day for you on your birthday. it is YOUR day after all
You are choosing joy and this is important. I just love what you said, "Truth is, it's not always as enjoyable as the photos look" You are so right Joannah! This is my life as well. Pictures are not everything and there are layers to pull back but I choose joy even in the messy - its not perfect here but choosing joy really helps me. You are so right, its not about us, its about Him. I could only hope I would be able to handle things as well as you are and being a wonderful mother to your daughter all by yourself xx
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