Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Perfect CHRISTmas Season...

I love this time of year. Simple things make me very happy.

-Watching Amelia play w/her nativity.
-Hot chocolate with Alex after Amelia goes to bed.
-Christmas music.
-Christmas movies.
-Christmas tree.
-Christmas lights.

I've been doing my best not to stress over things that really do not matter. Trying to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I've read several blog posts on the stress that this season brings and I can totally relate. We host my & Alex's family every year for Christmas. It took having a baby for me to realize that everything doesn't have to be perfect to have people into my home. Honestly, once I had a baby - perfect took on a whole new meaning. I mean, it's okay to lock the guest room while company is here - because it's filled with catering supplies and a messy closet.

It's really the perfect solution.

We had our Christmas card picture taken yesterday. Needless to say, it's not really the best idea to wait until December 7th and then take your baby outside in 30 degree weather and expect her to smile her face off.

But that's what I did.

Poor Amelia was such a good sport - she just couldn't smile because her face was frozen.



I would usually freak out afterwards and start worrying about having the perfect picture to go on our card, but everything we went through just to get a picture was so stinkin' funny - all I could do was laugh! Alex reminds me often to just enjoy the moment. Don't worry about the details in my head that I never had time to make happen. Just enjoy the now. All that matters is that as a family, we focus on what this holiday is all about.

The greatest & most perfect gift ever given.

Jesus.

No warm hospital for Him - instead a cold, smelly stable (where the animals slept).

No special monogrammed outfit for Him- instead swaddling clothes (commonly used for burial preparation).

No sweet crib w/custom bedding for Him - instead a manger (where the animals were fed).

I'm going to stop fretting about the fact:
-That my Christmas cards aren't designed, let alone printed & in the mail.
-That I have very few presents bought.
-That the presents I have bought - still aren't wrapped.
-That I haven't hung the garland over the dining room window.
-That my house needs a major cleaning before family comes.
-And on and on and on.

Because really - none of that matters.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." -Luke 2:11

Love to all,

8 comments:

Jen said...

Thank you for posting this. It is like you are in my head! And I still haven't hung my garland over our window or even put up stockings! Ha! I've just tried to be much more laid-back this year. We have been baking cookies and wrapping gifts together and trying to just enjoy this month. None of those little things we stress over matter. And I already have plans for next year to make it even more stress-free and enjoyable!

Love you!

kristin fulghum said...

great reminder. amelia is so stinkin cute. her lips...amazing, i wish i had them!

Faith said...

Love, love, love this post. Such a beautiful reminder of what this time of year is all about.

Love you dearly!

Surrounded-By-Boys said...

What a wonderful reminder that the most perfect gift comes from above!

Courtney said...

Your pictures at the top of your blog are adorable! I love the family pictures! I noticed that Alex has the same exact smile in all the pictures, how funny! And then...I noticed that Amelia is smiling similarly in all her pictures too! She definately takes after her daddy in that way!
(I know that was random, but I've been just using google reader lately so I haven't seen these pictures up).

I always love what you have to share, so thank you for sharing your life with us!

Immeasurably More Mama said...

Such a timely reminder for me. Thank you.

annalee said...

if you only know how much i needed to read this post each and every day of the Christmas season... THANK YOU!

Mazzy said...

I've found that being a mother almost forces me to put less pressure on myself to get all the little details perfect. It just doesn't matter as much any more. Praise God for his best and most perfect gift EVER.
xoxo