Question of the Day
November 29, 2007
As moms we are stretched to the limit at this time of the year. All the shopping, wrapping, cooking, baking, planning, social obligations, picture taking, begin to take their toll. A friend asked me this question today; Since I have last year’s Christmas picture of the kids, that never made it into the cards, can I still use it? Answer; YOU BET! As long as the kids aren’t babies. And I only say that, because of the great difference a year makes in what they would look like. If the effort was made to dress everyone in their finest and haul them to the portrait studio, but the year was too overwhelming and hectic to actually put the cards together, I say use the picture that was paid for. The conversation was a good reminder of trying to stay in the spirit of the season without getting overwhelmed with the details and what’s “supposed” to happen. We need to leave our families good memories of the holiday and not frantic memories of a stressed-out mama. Good night~
4 comments
Its SO hard to remember that Jen!! I often get caught up in having things be “right” or “perfect” in the way others perceive us, all at the expense of my family — but I’m getting better! Not to long ago, I was having a baby shower here at 6:00pm. We were invited to go spend the day hanging out at the park with friends. EVERYTHING in me wanted to stay home and clean my house so it would be perfect for my guests. Instead, I forced myself to go to the park. After a quick stop at Trader Joes, I got home just before 5:00 — and in one hour I managed to pull it off. So, by choosing to “let it go”, I had a perfect day with my kids, and with the help of smoke and mirrors has a house that looked “perfect enough” too!
Y’know…I really believe in Advent. We make a big deal about the stockings onf Feast of St. Nick, and then we really kind fo chill for most of the month. When the Christmas novena starts on Dec. 16, I start to get the rpesents together, and bake a little more. (I try to prepare for Advent by shopping hard over Thanksgiving,) just making sure that I’m not overwhelmed. It does make the last few days before Christmas pretty hectic, but the lead-up time is worth it. We try not to entertain at all until after the actual holiday, so that we have all hands on deck to help out with the smaller ones, and we can enjoy without worrying about getting to the various activities that are usually cancelled over the break…
Enjoy!
Wow, This is So Outside my Realm of thinking…. i am grateful that we keep things small and simple. Many of the “Obligations” you often speak of seem to be made up and totally forced. The “Social” Stresses someone? … that’s really not what i know the Holidays should be. It’s a time to relax. If you are not presentable the way you are, from day to day, in the eyes of God each moment, then you’ve got alot of work to do.
i Say Relax. You do such a Beautiful Job with your family. Let it shine through in it’s natural, subtle ways. Your children are shinning examples of your love and discipline.
Think about the times you just wish Our Mom would relax and actually enjoy the time!
i’d Love to Spend some time really visiting with You. Last years pictures, no cutesy cards etc… i wouldn’t Care, i LOVE YOU!
Thanks for writing this one! As you well know, we will be having more of a Cratchit Christmas this year than a Rockefeller one.
I am trying to be positive and think, “Hey, that means less time for me among the crazy, frantic, and unfortunately, often rude crowds of shoppers!” And I often forget that, no matter what, there will always be the “traditional” chaos and piles of wrapping and bows at my in-laws on Christmas Day. 
It forces me to really focus on why Christmas is such a special time and what it means. I like to call it the Season with THE Reason. So this year Sophia will really get to know the wonder and beauty of it all. And it doesn’t really matter how much is under the tree or in the stockings. Our family will be together. That’s one of the most important parts. And as Cami said, how I would have loved if Mom had just relaxed and not tried to do so much. Someone at some point must have made her think that was how it was supposed to be done. I love you.
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