Merry Christmas; I'm Not Packing

Next year, remind me Not to go anywhere for Christmas. When I planned this trip (our first family trip to Disney World) I did not factor in the fact that I am now working part-time and therefore have a lot less time to do pretty much anything outside of managing the kids and the dog (the cats fend for themselves as long as they are fed). I want to hibernate. don't get me wrong; I do enjoy the true spirit of the season, but enjoying it takes extra energy too! There's so much to "enjoy". I've cut out a lot just so I wouldn't get exhausted, but my life without Christmas is exhausting. I am not sending out Christmas cards, instead I wrote thoughtful notes to each of the children in my class. I did not put up a tree (we're not even going to be here so don't give my computer that look!) Instead I put greenery and lights on our mantel and we have a little tree on the hutch in our dining room and some other hand made decorations hanging about the house from Abigail and Elliott. Sirius can't contribute anything except a tail wag and chewing on something. I give to those who I feel God puts on my heart and especially those who I work with because it would be rude if I didn't even if it is just a little something. I get things for the kids' teachers; thankfully Paul is a good coffee roaster because that makes a good and inexpensive gift! I shake hands with the elderly at the nursing home on Elliott's field trip (did you know they call it a care center now?...is it politically incorrect to call it nursing home?!) Now when it's just about over....all the preparing and whatnot, I find myself at 5 p.m. barely able to keep my eyes open with two days left until we fly and not a thing packed and wash still needing to be done. I'm not complaining; I'm just stating the facts. It's life. Sometimes it's busy and we find ourselves with too much to do and other times we are wishing time would pass so we can go to the next thing. All in all it's a good life. I don't envy anyone else's life because I am pretty sure everyone else has a list as long as mine. The grass isn't greener on the "other" side. I wish it were snowier on my side =-) I have a great husband....a husband who is brave enough to take on his own business and be available to his family. He's an amazing father adding humor in just the right places.....making up for my weaknesses. We are a team and without one another we couldn't get through any time in life, much less the holiday times. So, I have to say friends that we are blessed. Blessed by the beauty and blessed by the mess of our existence. God is gracious. God is merciful. God miraculously helps us get through another day without giving up. I hope you have a Merry Christmas.....all of you who overtly and secretively read our blog. We love you. We are encouraged by you. We can't survive very well without each other. God bless us..........every one. The End