You know, I spent like months working up to Christmas. All this preparation and it was all over in less than an hour. Wow. This year I tried to make it easier on myself. Sometime in November I explained to the kids that this year they will only get three presents each from mom and dad and one from Santa. I was so proud of myself (this doesn't happen frequently) and gave them the analogy that Christ received just three gifts so we would do the same. They all
surprisingly agreed to this new 'rule'. They wrote and re-wrote their lists over and over again throughout the month of December. I guess figuring out just four things they wanted took some thought. That made shopping this year a bit easier. Christmas morning came and went and I was really shocked that all three of them said that this was the BEST Christmas ever. Really? Honestly, they only got two wrapped presents each .. the rest I just got too lazy and stuck them under the tree early Christmas morning.
I tried real hard not to be too down Christmas morning. I am glad the kids didn't notice how empty it felt. Maybe that's because it just feels empty to me. It won't always be like this. I will have a complete family again ...
Sometimes I love life lessons and others I don't. Life hands out some pretty hard knocks but are so necessary. This Christmas season, one of the gifts I received came in the form of a lesson learned. Sometimes you expect things out of people and don't get it. Then you get disappointed. The lesson I learned this season is that some people can't give you what you want and it's not because they don't want to but more because they are not capable of it. Then it becomes my issue instead of the other person's. I get it now. It's actually quite a relief to come to that realization.
So this Christmas is gone. 2008 coming to a close. What's wonderful is that 2009 is around the corner. I wonder what this next year will bring?
6 comments:
I am so with you on taking down the holiday stuff. We had our tree down the day after Christmas. Before it was out of necessity, so our house didn't catch on fire, but now we have an artificial tree, so whatever! If you ever feel empty again, just drop by. Five kids are always a picker-upper!
I am so impressed...your stuff is down...I just put it up on Monday! :) I'm SOOO bad at taking things down! :( My goal is before my birthday this year!
what an excellent idea...the three presents i mean...love it! I'm looking at all my decos and thinking...maybe AFTER new years:)
Great idea on 3 presents, we will have to try that. I too am putting Christmas down today, which makes me extremely excited....not to have to take it down but to have my house in order again!
Glad Christmas went well, your family willbe back together again, hang in there!
That is such a great idea. I scaled way down this year for the kids and with the lack of daddy here, I was glad for the day to be over. Christmas stuff came down the next day. Love your pictures!! The kids are getting so big :)
I really think I need to scale down next year. We took one of Avery's presents back because we thought it was a piece and she didn't even notice. Can you come help me take my stuff down when I get back :)
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