The presents are wrapped, the house is clean, the cookies for Santa are baked and the To Do list is dwindling to "Cooking for Christmas brunch". And watching the weather. And putting on our Roll-With-It Vests. It seems we are having a bit of a winter storm, now rain to become snow at some point in the not too distant future. This does put a bit of a wrench into our plans, but the holiday isn't entirely controlled by us. It's God's gift to us, so I have to trust that He knows what He's doing.
I can't say that I have been a big ol' bag of jolly this year. I get blue every Christmas. I know it's coming, and deal with it, but that doesn't change the feeling. Because of choices that we have made we live far from the family I was born into. I miss them and the traditions of my Connecticut childhood. It's not possible to have it all, so I try to fake it til I make it.
I smile and list all the wonderful blessings that I do have. Eventually the Dark Navy Blues fades to Cornflower, then Light Sky. I can manage Light Sky Blues. Hallmark commercials won't make me cry with Light Sky Blues. I don't want to sit on the sofa watching Happy Ending Lifetime Movies with Light Sky Blues. I can get on with my daily chores and responsibilities and life. I can be the happy mom decorating the house with silvers, reds and golds.
I know that without the Deep Navy Blues I can't appreciate life. I want to live a life of all the colors, the icky and the glorious. The rainbow of emotions is what make life interesting and comment worthy. It's how we learn and grow.
Today I wish you a day of Warm Golds , Familiar Greens and Cheery Reds. I wish for you the color of hope that I see when I read this:
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Merry Christmas!!!!!
Love,
Susan
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Making a list ,cutting it twice
I have this theory. That you can avoid having one of those out of control lives where you are merely treading water trying to survive instead of floating luxuriously. To achieve this lofty goal, to be able to enjoy the life you have, to savor each bite, all you have to do is be willing to prioritize and cut your to-do list. This theory states that if a high quality of life is what you are after, a simple snip snip to the list will give you that. Life enjoyed, instead of life survived.
It's only a working theory and a sucky one at that.
We do cut our list. When Noah said he was scared of Santa this year and didn't want to visit him -- snip! We sent Santa an email instead. When we got two activity invites and we coulda done both, but it woulda been rushed...we snipped the second one that came in. When I found a great teacher gift from a crafty woman I know, I dropped " Bake Goodies" off my To Do list. All pretty much guilt free.
But it's Christmas time. Busytime. Mommy Crunchtime. Somethings can't be snipped. Some activities MUST be done. All three of the kids have parties and programs at different times. Luke still has basketball practice. homework still needs to be done. Laundry still is created. We still need to eat. Gifts to faraway family and friends need to be purchased, wrapped and sent. Gifts for those here need to be delivered. There are people we must see, places we must go and the pace is quick, and deliberate. I am enjoying the season this year, but I can't actually say I am luxuriating in it. Thankfully my snipped To Do list is providing me with a floaty and I can easily handle and appreciate the pace.
I'm sure you are the same. You have similar To Do lists. Maybe you WANT to do it all. More power to ya! But, I'm sure you will understand why the last time I was on here was right after Thanksgiving. For your viewing pleasure, here a few pictures of life since then.
May all of you be able to snip your lists without guilt and enjoy this time of the year!
We decorated the outside of the house
Got some livestock
Beks had her first middle school dance
We got the house ready for Christmas as we celebrate Advent!
It's only a working theory and a sucky one at that.
We do cut our list. When Noah said he was scared of Santa this year and didn't want to visit him -- snip! We sent Santa an email instead. When we got two activity invites and we coulda done both, but it woulda been rushed...we snipped the second one that came in. When I found a great teacher gift from a crafty woman I know, I dropped " Bake Goodies" off my To Do list. All pretty much guilt free.
But it's Christmas time. Busytime. Mommy Crunchtime. Somethings can't be snipped. Some activities MUST be done. All three of the kids have parties and programs at different times. Luke still has basketball practice. homework still needs to be done. Laundry still is created. We still need to eat. Gifts to faraway family and friends need to be purchased, wrapped and sent. Gifts for those here need to be delivered. There are people we must see, places we must go and the pace is quick, and deliberate. I am enjoying the season this year, but I can't actually say I am luxuriating in it. Thankfully my snipped To Do list is providing me with a floaty and I can easily handle and appreciate the pace.
I'm sure you are the same. You have similar To Do lists. Maybe you WANT to do it all. More power to ya! But, I'm sure you will understand why the last time I was on here was right after Thanksgiving. For your viewing pleasure, here a few pictures of life since then.
May all of you be able to snip your lists without guilt and enjoy this time of the year!
We decorated the outside of the house
Got some livestock
Beks had her first middle school dance
We got the house ready for Christmas as we celebrate Advent!Sure there are more, but what will I have to talk about the next time if I show you them now??
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