Christmas Season

Oh Christmas, it's the best and the worst. We love the beautiful decorations, the lights on everyone's houses, the attitude of generosity and service, the feeling of excitement, the focus on the Savior's birth and his whole life and ministry, the fun activities and gatherings, the traditions, and the yummy food. We don't love the rush, the overspending, the sicknesses, the gluttony, the stress of getting everything done, the stress of trying to do all of the fun activities and traditions, and the stress of driving to Utah and being out of our home for more than a week and having to stay with our parents. It's stressful.

Because of these competing feelings and experiences, we do what we can to achieve balance. We still put up Christmas decorations. We love our tree. We still try to do lots of fun activities and meaningful traditions, but we pick and choose what we do. For example, we do not do "Elf on the Shelf."

We did do a gingerbread house kit again this year, drove around and saw lights, went to a live nativity, did the 25 days of Christ most nights, tried to cut back on spending a little and donate a little more. We did our Christmas count down candle, took the kids to buy stuff for service stockings and gifts for each other, and made it as pleasant as we possibly could by trying to do most of shopping way ahead of time and simplifying where we could.
Even still, things come up: an unexpected gift exchange, a randomly time consuming school project, being asked to help with the ward Christmas part, and even teaching preschool.

We did the Santa station at the ward Christmas party, which is ironic because we don't really do Santa at our house. I think it turned out great though. We gave little gifts to the kids, borrowed this amazing fake fire place, and decorated two trees. 

I also helped decorate a lot on the inside too. My friend Erica did almost all of this, and I really didn't envy her that task. Yikes! It turned out amazing though.

She made all of these cute paper trees and paper decorations. I really feel bad she went to so much effort, but it all turned out great!

The kids with Santa. Holland did not want to take any part in a Santa's lap photo--lots of tears and vice like grips. It was a great evening though. It was Christmas morning themed so they served delicious breakfast food. They also showed a fun slide show of interviews with kids about Christmas topics. Our kids threw us under the bus. Ellie made up a tradition to share and the only thing that Miriam shared was that in our family the kids aren't allowed anywhere near the tree on Christmas eve and they can't get up too early in the morning on Christmas morning because people might be sleeping. It kills me that these were their only take aways from all fun and meaningful things we have tried to do with them over the years. 

 It wasn't quite as bad as the note I got from Miriam the first day of Christmas break though. I don't think I have ever had a sweeter stab through the heart. Because even though I really don't think I have ever screamed at the children about anything. Screaming is her impression of what is going on. I guess you win some and you lose some. Here's hoping for a win at some point in their memories of their childhoods.