‘Tis The Season

It is such a busy time of year.  That isn’t news to anyone, right?!? I don’t know of any one of my friends that doesn’t have a list a mile long of things that need to get done between now and Monday….

Last minute presents to buy.  Stockings to stuff.  Stuff to wrap.  Laundry. Meals to cook. Shopping for food.  Entertaining littles while they are “enjoying” Christmas break from school.  Cleaning. Work.  Parties. Baking.  Cleaning. It goes on and on and on…. Does anyone really enjoy the Christmas Season?  Or have we gotten so far removed from what it SHOULD be about, that we forget to stop and just be…..

 I saw this image shared on Facebook this morning, and it gave me pause.  I really have been trying to scale it back, but really…. this is my Christmas bucket list moving forward.

I think the reason we drive ourselves crazy with making the holidays perfect, is for the right reasons.  We want everything to be perfect.  We want our kids to have these perfect, well wrapped, perfectly decorated holidays – the truth is, what will they really remember and cherish?  Will they remember ALL the crap you bought them?  Or would they remember when you got them a board game, and spent a few hours playing and laughing?  Will they remember the hours you spent in the kitchen, making the perfect turkey and all the fixins?  Yeah, the food was good – but were you even THERE, enjoying your family holiday?

When I think back to Christmas as a kid – I remember the time spent with family.  I don’t really remember any gifts.  I remember my Grandma and her siblings working hard in the kitchen all day, and us not getting to spend time with her until late – when she was tired and cranky… and didn’t seem to enjoy the day at all – it was like it was their duty, their calling in life.  BUT, we spent the holiday with an incredibly large extended family.  We laughed at how this well prepared meal (that literally took 2 days to cook), was cold by the time it hit the table… so, what was the point?!?

I miss the crap out of those big family holidays.  I miss my Grandma at this time of year, more than words can express.  If she were here, she would be 89, and she would be still insisting on working her ass off in the kitchen all day to serve a cold meal to anyone who walked through the door (sometimes the meals were warm, but it was always comfort food)…

Here is the thing.  My boys no longer believe in Santa, and that is okay.  It is sad, but our Christmas is still full of magic and fun.  We have talked a lot about giving this year, and both boys have cleaned out their rooms to make donations to those in need (without being asked to y’all #ProudMomMoment).  We put a lot of thought into their gifts this year, and tried not to over do it.  I have about 80% of my wrapping done.  There is still some work to do for sure, but I am trying to NOT stress about it.  I am trying to be in the moment and enjoy the people in my life amidst all the chaos.

This year we are not stressing about food.  We are going to order in…. go ahead and judge.  I cook my family some pretty darn good meals all the time.  For Christmas, I don’t want to spend my time in the kitchen (unless it is to refill my wine glass and grab another cookie).  I want to spend time with those I love.  I want to take pictures.  I want to play games.  I want to laugh and make real, solid memories.  My kids will spend part of their day with their Dad’s part of the family – I LOVE that they get to do that.  But I am going to be darn sure I spend the time I have with them, being present.

I sent Christmas cards this year.  A whole crap ton of them…. why?  Because who doesn’t love getting cards in the mail?  It is the only time of year I look forward to opening the mailbox!  And, I baked a whole lot of sweets… we delivered to several houses and yep, it was a lot of work and my kitchen was destroyed – but I REALLY enjoy doing it.  So then, it isn’t really like work, right?  AND… I take my time wrapping gifts, and making them all look beautiful with tied ribbon, and whatever extras…. I don’t care if I am giving you a stupid, cheap gift – It will look good under the tree damn it!  Again, I enjoy this part of the holiday, so it is what it is!

My house is a mess right now.  Just surface clutter, but still….  I was looking at it this morning, wondering when I will have the time to get it all done – tonight we have a pizza party for Nate’s travel baseball team (gifts and games all prepared last night), but there is stuff to clean!  Stuff to wrap!  UGH!!!!  But then I thought… who cares?  It will get done, it always does. I am going to enjoy my evening with our baseball family and not worry about anything else.

The boys spend Christmas Eve with their dad.  But when Jerritt called me yesterday and asked if we wanted to spend the day at a 49er game…. I almost said no.  Too much to do!  Stuff to get done!  It’s freakin Christmas EVE!!!  There is magic to create DAMN IT, don’t be ridiculous!  BUT… then I thought about it.  What better gift than a day with my love, watching my team (who has managed to start to look like a professional football team again)….  Shit will get done.  Or it won’t.  Either way, it’s okay.

It has taken a lot to get to this point in my life.  And I kind of love it.  I will be 40 in a few short months, and I am really prepared to make it the start of the best part of my life.

So to all the parents out there, who are losing their shit to have the perfect holiday – stop.  Just freaking be there and spend time with the family.  Let the mess wait, it will still be there.  Take pictures.  Be IN pictures (who gives shit what you look like)!  You don’t get this time back with family and friends, so don’t waste it being busy.  Let that be your gift, that you actually are ACTUALLY THERE, enjoying it all.

Know that my house is open for any friends, family, neighbors (who are like both)… Everyday, and yes, even Christmas.  We may be drinking in our pajamas, eating Chinese food, and playing games – but we always have enough to share.  If you need a time out from drama or grumpy people, please stop by.  We are embracing our crazy this year, and will be enjoying every minute of it.

#CrazyAsAMother #FrickAndFrack #SlowYourRoll #MerryElfinChristmas #AlwaysWelcomeAtOurHouse #CrazyIsOurSignatureColor #MakeMemories #EnjoyEveryMoment