Here it is ...um...1-2-3-4 days until Christmas and I just did get my cards out. I was kind of beginning to wonder if they would actually be Christmas cards or if I'd have to rename them New Years Greetings.
I had taken the kids to Northeast Park a few weeks ago to take advantage of the rare snow that was on the ground as a backdrop for a photo. I took many as I usually do and then sifted through them a couple of times before making a final selection.
I debated burning the image on CD so that I could just go to CVS or Walgreens for a print-but opted to just order online instead. How long would it take afterall?
Apparently, it takes it two weeks in the middle of December-something I was not prepared for.
I had the cards mostly ready; addressed before the photos came. All I had to do was to sign them, label the pictures and then seal the cards up and mail.
Now I sit-hoping the cards make it to their destination before Christmas Day. Most should, but a few stragglers that have further to go probably will not quite make it in time. At least the thought was there.
I also keep going back and forth if I am really done with my shopping or not. I know I have the bulk of my shopping finished, but there are still a few odds and ends I hope to pick up for stockings here and there. It plagues me to try my best that each of my kids get equal amounts of things (or at least money spent) in their gifts. My desire is to always be as fair as I can possibly be. They are old enough now that they really know how much I try and how sometimes it is not possible. They know my heart in it all-which eases the mommy guilt....but still-I just keep hoping and praying to always be fair if I have anything to do with it.
Decorations are more or less out. By now it is probably too late to consider adding anything to our house. I do have a couple of unused light sets that we could string along somewhere, but I dont know if it is really something we'll take the time for.
I am getting ready to watch some TV with the kids,something lighthearted and fun to enjoy as we count down the rest of these slow days before Christmas.
God Bless my friends
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
The snow has melted-yet it is still pretty cold outside. I am glad that December actually feels like December should-even if it means a higher power bill next month to pay for heat that we didn't need most of October and November.
My daughter, Hannah, just finished her classes today; taking her last exam at 6 PM. She arrived home excited to be done and ready for a break. We just finished eating dinner and it seems like a nice calm has settled over our house for a few weeks.
I realized over the weekend that we were only two weeks away from Christmas. I know it will go fast; yet I want to savor the season. I want to enjoy each and every day between now and then and not miss a moment in being busy or hurried.
I am thankful that for the most part, I am done shopping for presents. Oh, I may see a few tiny things here and there; but am done with all the main things I had on my list. I am happy that the chore part of the holidays is done. It means that as I go out over the next few days and weeks I can just enjoy myself.
My husband and I will celebrate 24 years next Monday. In case I don't make it back beforehand or on that day, I love you Jay-Happy Anniversary sweetheart.
Saturday, December 04, 2010
First things first...
Today, it SNOWED!
Emphasis mine-because I love snow. It's a beautiful snow because it came the day that we had planned to decorate for Christmas. I have never put up our Christmas tree in the snow. What a treat. I am glad that I bought the tree on Thursday night so that we did not have to go get one today in the wet weather.
Bayley would have loved this snow. It wasn't too deep, and would have been the right consistency for him to take a few bites of it as he wandered through the yard admiring God's handiwork. He always loved walking through the snow....and he was missed today as we thought about how much he loved the snow and how much he always loved it when we'd put up the Christmas tree.
We bought him a small blue spruce to place in his garden area where he rests. We figured after all these years he could have one of his own. Pretty cool that the first day thereafter, it snowed on his tree.
This year for Christmas, we went back to our roots, the ball root tree that is. We've skipped two years in doing so, opting to go with an artificial last year and a cut tree the year before. We really wanted a ball root tree this year as that is always what Bayley seemed to enjoy the most. this year, this tree will also be planted out in his garden. I doubt it will survive any better than the other ones, but for a time, it will be there by his side-and that makes us happy.
We usually put up our Christmas stuff during Thanksgiving weekend, but this year everyone was sick. It feels weird that we are now several days into December and just now getting around to starting with decorating. I guess it will balance out when we don't take things down until after Jan 1 as seems to be the case most of the time anymore.