Merry Christmas-ing

I’m sitting down to type this up for what feels like the first time in weeks.  Unless being stuck in traffic counts as sitting.  I don’t think it does.

This month has turned me into a cliché stressed out “Christmas Mom”.  I’m a bit ashamed, but I really did let it all get to me.  Our suitcases have gathered no dust this entire year and we’re flying to Chicago at the end of this week.  I’ve been overwhelmed and grouchy and all I could think about was this dream of sitting by my Christmas tree in my beautifully decorated apartment and maybe reading a book, cup of hot coffee optional.  Well, it’s the 18th, I finished my decorating an hour ago and it’s good enough for who it’s for.  My favorite Christmas playlist is going, the baby is sleeping and candles are glowy. It feels good, but it wasn’t worth the stressing out.

The gifts are done and mostly under the tree, cards are 75% in the mail (after a marathon last week trying to get them in, I’ll share them soon!) and I think Josh and I are going to decorate a gingerbread house tonight.

There is so much more to do before we’re sitting in front of my parents “Holiday Inn” fireplace, watching the snow fall but this week I’m forcing myself to focus on the important things.  I will always be my biggest critic and it kills me when I don’t meet my own expectations.  I didn’t make and ship cookie boxes this year and my cards are late.  It’s really dumb, but its something that I love and we just didn’t have the luxury of time (true story: “time” is exactly what I asked for this Christmas) to get done this year.  So I gave it up and it’s fine, I don’t think anyone will be calling me asking where their peppermint bark is.

Here we are, my favorite week of the year.  I hope you drink lots of cocoa, look at some pretty lights, eat lots of cookies, love on your crazy families and that your heart is so so full.

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great JOY that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”