Our Presence is the Best Present

It seems as if we just got through giving thanks and birthday wishes before it was time already to deck the halls!  Calendar spaces are filled with important events like parties and caroling and traditional happenings like the living nativity.  And as I added each new activity, I felt my heart beat increase and I found myself anxious about all that was to come, to do, to make, to see. So, I decided to take a minimalist approach this year.  I gave myself permission to back out if it didn't feel right.  I sent the kids up in the rafters to find a nativity set, ornaments and stockings; everything else stays hidden.  We made a simple advent wreath, grabbed our two favorite devotionals and I had the kids wrap the 25 books that we unwrap each night, not caring what their wrapping job looked like.

And it still looks like Christmas, but by taking a simplified approach. . .it actually feels like Christmas now. Nights of lazy read alouds with hot chocolate, discussions taking place around the table long after dinner is served. Sometimes when life feels overwhelming with seemingly good things that distract you from the real meaning of Christmas, then do what YOU need to do to THRIVE not simply survive.

Our kids are watching us, they hear the tone of our voice, our complaints, our distractions. . . and the reality is our PRESENCE is the best PRESENT we can give them.   This season, find yourself seeking HIM in the peace of your home surrounded by those who mean the most to you.  Be present.  Be filled with His presence and be astounded by the beauty that awaits you.

A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes

There were a lot of thoughts about wishes today as another candle flickered on a birthday cake. . .my birthday cake that welcomed me to the last year in this decade known as my thirties!  Wow!  It was an extremely busy day, but a blessed one for sure as I participated in twelve prayers for my heart, which was sponsored by an Instagram friend and the perfect way to ensure extra special blessings on myself today. It felt like the perfect gift to give myself: focused, intentional prayer.  I've come a long way in my thirties, that much is true!

Being so busy with all of my kid's things today felt like a huge blessing instead of the dread I originally felt.  A friend had recently asked me to pray for a close friend of hers: a mama of a one and four year old who had a cancer reoccurence. She is younger than me and she died yesterday.  Just like that my little pity party about not having a day that centered all about me disappeared and I made a decision to look at all these activities to do with my kiddos as the best gifts of all.

And yesterday, the big kids came over with flowers and cake and encouraged us to go out to dinner by ourselves; we might have just ran out of the door!

But I'll never tell: )

I was spoiled rotten with things I don't need but I appreciated the effort E put into choosing gifts I would love.  He is the best gift giver ever. It helps that he knows me so well.

This morning I headed to a field trip with Jonathan.  I love that at nine years old he still wants me to go.

He is such his uncle's mini-me

I might have sent out a text to my people about 11:15 for a spontaneous lunch date in downtown.  Low and behold ALL of them showed up!  I love when it happens like that--totally last minute because I cut out of the field trip a little early to relieve grandma from her babysitting duties and I got to see my friends for lunch!
Perfection.

Gymnastics followed, as did multiple pick ups, and then volleyball practice.  We rushed home to get Lene ready for her first choir concert.  A good friend took her and grandma went to watch the show.  Know what exciting thing I did?  Showered, sat in the back yard watching Janessa and Jonathan play.  Corn dogs for dinner all around.  Might not be everyone's idea of a great birthday. . .but it worked just fine for me!

Today I enter my 39th year keenly aware of the fragility of life and the fleeting moments I have with my littles.  My dream of being home with them is more than just my mere physical presence.  I want to be truly present, without distractions, and experiencing my life the way my heart longs to live it.  I'm one year closer to kicking my people pleasing self to the curb.  39 and feeling better than fine about the life I'm living and all that it entails.

Christmas Happenings

There has been all kinds of Christmas prep around here.

The fun kind.  The kind that doesn't feel like work.

The kind you can kick your feet up at the end of the day and exhale peace.

The girls and I celebrated Christmas with the cousins ugly sweater style.

This was after I had already had the joy and privilege of escorting my handsome husband to an ugly sweater party of his own.

He kept walking around saying, "Bringing the power to the party." He'd flip the switch and make the lights come on.  It was funny since he does work for an electric company.  Thanks grandma for the fabulously decorated sweaters.  I thought they were ugly enough--but you had a vision and brought it to life!

We almost didn't make the Living Nativity this year--but the kids couldn't remember never not going.  So we went.  And stood in line for over an hour.  But Little and Kendra joined us so it really felt like "the gangs all here." And I might have gotten teary-eyed.

The next day I worked then raced home to go caroling at a local retirement center with our church.  Our home church. The one I may have strayed away from for lack of community--only to find--I am just as responsible for making that community come to life.  

So I go to the monthly mom's group and I refused to be intimidated by the fact that my kids seem to be the only ones not going to Catholic school--and participated in the caroling opportunity anyways.  We all have a heart for service we just choose to educate in a different setting.  

They don't mind.  So why should I?

The kids passed out cards they had made at home.  I liked watching them.  I liked watching the older people's faces.  I might have gotten teary-eyed here too.

Tis the season!

The choir Christmas Concert was held within walking distance of our home at a church and was beautiful!  The kids sounded so amazing.  I can't believe they were able to accomplish that with only an hour of practice a week since October.  Bravo!

Jonathan's third grade classes visited that same church the next day to make candy canes.

This is a tradition they have been doing for years and I just think it was the coolest to watch.  I couldn't stay the whole time because back at our house the girls were arriving for our last book club meeting of the year.  

We had a potluck and did a gift exchange that was really amazing.  The girls brought a gift that represented a lesson God was working on their hearts or a lesson He had taught them this year--it was fun to hear the significance behind the gifts.  It was even better to hear their hearts.  We even had three of the husband's pop in and one spoke from his heart about what good we were doing meeting the way we are.  There was not a dry eye in the house.  God was so present--it truly was the best gift.

This little one has made such progress in her performance skills.  For the second year in a row she wore a dress her big sister wore when she was her age.  I didn't save much but what I did?  I love to reminisce.  This year Nessa Bessa remained standing through the performance.  I was a proud mama.  Who wouldn't be?

 That night we got together with friends and had pizza and gingerbread house decorating.  I would share the finished result except this was the first year that it didn't remain standing!  I think the parents leaving it in the hands of the kids wasn't the best of ideas but they had fun and, "Presence over presents" is my motto this year.  Whatever works: )

 The very next day we ended up in Urgent Care.  This poor girl just goes from 0 to 60 in seconds.  With pneumonia and bronchitis in her not so far past, I just wanted to make sure we could get her to some semblance of normal by Christmas Eve.  She is still miserable. "I don't like being sick.  Sick is boring," she exclaims in the most pathetic little voice she can muster.  Poor baby.

Which is why today will look like this. E is working, today but soon he will join me for a few days off to relax and bask in the glow of family, friends, and the real reason for the season.

  All presents are wrapped and ready.  All that remains is some baking to do for fun.  

No pressure.  

No problem. 

There has been all kinds of Christmas prep around here.

The fun kind.  The kind that doesn't feel like work.

The kind you can kick your feet up at the end of the day and exhale peace.