This year I focused on the magic of Christmas and found the season enjoyable and not that stressful! I tried to do something fun each day that felt like Christmas. We bundled up and drove around looking at lights while sipping peppermint hot chocolate, made batch after batch of cookies and bread, made cards and gifts, played carols every day, switched our scripture reading to Matthew and Luke, watched tons of holiday movies, set up two trees in our tiny house and so much more. We were busy, but I'm happy because we did all the things we WANTED to do. So now the day is passed and next week the decorations will all get packed away until next year (I think I will start earlier!). I would like to shout out to my favorite gifts this year:
1. A quilt for my dad. My mom made him a brown, cream and blue quilt their first Christmas and since then it has had a history of being stolen by various children...especially me:). I would like to go on record that twice my dad GAVE it to me even though he does not quite remember it. (in recent years my kids have taken it from me!). In all these years it has had a lot if use and love which has really taken a toll on the seams, material and yarn ties. Pieces are literally falling off!!! So this year (starting in July and put away for a month for having a baby) I made a new quilt as close to the old one as possible. I matched the colors and textures and followed the layout. I did make it longer since I always felt it should be long enough to tuck under the toes. It was such a close match that I tested it with naps several times with a slightly mischievous smile (I stole it before giving it?)! I decided my mom needed one too so I made her a NJ quilt with fall on one side and spring on the other. It was such a joy to sit around with my baby alternating between nursing and sewing! I love finding a gift that I know will be loved!!!
2. E's horse. My daughter has entered that phase in a little girl's life where she loves horses (is it a right of passage or something?). She researches them, spends forever by horses at the zoo, watches horse movies (Black Beauty is the fav of course!) and talks about how nice it would be to own a horse. A few weeks ago she was invited to a birthday party...at an equestrian center (yea!)...on a Sunday (boo!)...she was so sad, but I was sooo impressed that she did not ask to go. I told her that in the spring we could go on the pony rides at the zoo. Matt was brilliant and came up with the idea to get her a horse riding lesson instead of a toy. That is one of the reasons it is a favorite...he thought of it! So I found a place and bought a gift certificate and took a tour. They were very nice there and invited her to come down and watch the lessons as much as she wants and to look at the horses in their stalls before setting up a lesson time. Great! This means two horse outings!! It is a dream come true and she is sooo excited!!!
3. A racetrack for my boy. All A wanted was a little car track like his friend's. He loves playing with that and it is a toddler toy. He didn't know that cooler versions existed! So we got him a matchbox car system with four loops and the cars sometimes fly past each other and sometimes crash when they meet in the middle. He and Matt spent an hour or more setting it up and enjoying it! Seeing my boy with his skinny legs crouching over this I had Deja vue...he looked just like his namesake uncle when he got his racetrack for Christmas around that same age! It reminded me of playing with it and laughing hysterically as our cat chased the cars around at hyper speed;). It took me back to my childhood.
3. A massage gift card from my baby as a thanks for the midnight hours. I love this not only for how I will feel, but because it was completely unexpected and very thoughtful! Matt went above and beyond and it feels good to be appreciated.
5. My baby. I was in walmart when a woman in her 40's abruptly stopped and stared at my baby. She gushed for a bit and declared, "oh, you got your Christmas gift early!". I just beamed and said, "yes I did!". He is what I wanted for years and I'm grateful he is here!!!!
Thank you to all my loved ones and friends for helping me have a wonderful Christmas!!! Happy new year!
12 years ago
