Soon Christmas will be upon us, and I woke up feeling like I haven’t really gotten into the spirit of the season.
We’re not exchanging gifts this year. Not Bill & I – not with our families. It’s kind of nice… definitely less stress. I got to shop for the little ones, which is fun, and then I called it a wrap.
I’ve been piping Christmas music into our house over the weekend, because I just have this panicky feeling that I’m going to miss out this year. It’s already December 12, and I haven’t even watched Elf without commercial interruptions!
April and I headed to Virginia yesterday – basically I rushed her through Super One and declined a trip in to Target. Of course, it was still a good time, but I couldn’t help but feel like I’m constantly forging ahead to the next item on the list without stopping to enjoy right now.
Life is just moving so, so fast. So today, as the stress of having to get the house cleaned (it really could use it), the wood hauled, school work acknowledged, more cleaning… well, I hopped in the truck with Bill and headed out to find a Christmas tree. Jesse came too, and he helped us set a record time for tree hunting. We made it home with lots of afternoon to spare – so I made some cut-out sugar cookies. (The added bonus is that my sweet little Kate brought her mom out to help!)
Today was all it took to get my holiday cheer back in check.
erin…you can’t be stressed and rushed…you are not buying gifts for anyone…that would make life so much easier for me…not that i don’t like to buy gifts, cuz’ i do…but the money. money. money! you should enjoy your hustle bustle free holiday season. sorry you are feeling that crazy pressure! it is no fun…i think i am done, but not at the expense of dipping in our reserves…not a good feeling. rick and i don’t buy for each other, but we do stockings…i love it most of the time! but this year my parents and my one brother & his family are coming, so more money has already been spent…that is a big stress-er for me…cuz’ i feel like we are never going to get ahead of ourselves…ugh!
try to enjoy a festive coffee and some delicious holiday cookies…play that christmas music loud…and enjoy your christmas tree in the dark…i am looking forward to more of that once this week is over.
love you…and many. many. many. hugs are sent your way!!!!!
Hey Erin,
We’ve watched Elf a few times this year, and as it starts, I always look at Jeff and say “This is Erin’s favorite Christmas movie.” 🙂
The boys can sing the entire song (I’m here with my dad and he wants me to sing him a song….you didn’t know I was born…but I’m here now. Daddy. And guess what? I love you, I love you, I LOVE YOU!!!)
Hope you get in the holiday spirit. It has been a struggle down this direction too. Time’s just flying and haven’t had much of a change to savor it at all. Lots of time thinking about memories of my grandparents, which I think is making me less festive and more bummed that life changes so much…
Hugs and Love – Andrea
GOOD COOKIES SCOOTIE! AND PRETTY WHEN THEY’RE ALL DRESSED UP!
Hi Erin!
We have a family movie night planned tomorrow night & we are planning to watch Elf – we have been so busy all month we’ve never sat long enough to watch the movie we’d like to call a “new” annual tradition (thanks to the Bryson Family!). Hope you are enjoying being at home to enjoy this last bit of break. Miss & Love you!