Christmas 2014

It's the night after Christmas. Usually on this day I experience the "Christmas Hangover". There is so much built up excitement for the big day, then in a flash it's all over and then where are ya? Sitting in a house with packages and things you thought you needed and now realize you don't.

Well, for some reason I am sitting here perfectly content. I couldn't be more content, except if someone could remove a couple extra pounds of food I ate yesterday & today cause I'm over full, slightly uncomfortable, yet popcorn still kinda sounds good :)
Christmas changed for me a lot when I had kids. It stopped being about what I gave or received, and more about making memories and teaching my children about the "magic" of Christmas, the reason for the season, and soaking up each and every moment we share. Now this comes with its own load of stress. Usually I am packing each and every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas with something magical. There's so much pressure to give my girls great experiences, to be crafty, to bake, to make this the most special time. But in the end, that just exhausts all of us, and what's magical about us driving around looking at Christmas lights when mom and dad are cranky and the kids are over sugared and over stimulated? I'll tell you what it's like, it's like that scene from "A Christmas Story" when the dad is fixing the furnace, and the kid is refusing to eat and starts shoving his face into a plate of mashed potatoes eating like a pig, while dad yells & cusses. It's not pretty. And it's not the
type of memories I like to make. I kinda had a moment of that on Christmas Eve, at one point I heard myself yelling, "COME IN HERE, PUT ON AN APRON AND BAKE SOME FESTIVE FREAKING COOKIES WITH ME!!!" (Sorry mom!!)

So..overall this year, not consciously, but it so happened that I felt a bit more relaxed about things. I didn't over-shop or over buy. We made a kids-only gift rule with all family. I chose the important traditions that I wanted to focus on and learned to let go of doing every single experience. Example - we totally skipped the trip downtown to shop, ride the carousel and see the gingerbread houses. Fun? yes. But also time consuming, freezing cold, and endless amounts of lines. 'Aint nobody got time for that, so we just didn't.

This was the first Christmas since I don't know when that I felt I had things organized, prepared and under control. In fact, when a friend was in a tough spot we were able to help them out and dog sit over the holiday! I mean really, that's what it's all about, right? Spending time with our families, AND enjoying it, eating some good food, and helping each other out. I don't want to jinx things, because life definitely has a way of making you feel just comfortable enough that it can blindside you, that said...I want to recognize when I'm truly content. Life is SO. FREAKING. BUSY for us. I mean it's insanity 90% of the time. So when I can sit back and reflect and acknowledge why it is we work so hard, it's that much more rewarding.

Christmas Eve = Christmas Cookie Bakeathon

Abby's gift from Santa was a karaoke machine - Abigail was trying really hard to sing well and Brooklyn kept singing "Poop!!!" 

And yes, Brooklyn's naked. She takes her clothes off at least 5 times a day.

Mom & I. She always dresses so well for holidays, and I stay in PJ's.

Miles - our house guest for 5 days over Christmas :)

I was really sick of cooking so we went to IHOP for breakfast this morning. 

My company closes the office from noon on Christmas Eve through the end of the year. I feel that has quite a bit to do with my relaxed attitude this year. I am in no rush to cram in as much time with my friends and family as I can before returning to work. I'm able to truly enjoy time at home. I am so very grateful to the leadership where I work for making this decision and giving our entire staff this paid time off with their families What a huge blessing!! I am so grateful and blessed and thankful, and I do not take it for granted.

So I sit here the day after Christmas, with absolutely zero Christmas Hangover, happy I have an entire 10 more days home with my family and most of all extremely excited for 2015. I'm not big into New Year's Resolutions, but I am excited for changes and some big goals I've set for myself in the coming year.