The Christmasy List
1. Making plans. Considering what would make good traditions for our family. When everyone else was complaining about how busy and stressful their holiday seasons were, I was sad that we had virtually nothing going on. We added just the right amount of activities.
2. Gathering food for food shelf (I'm sure they don't get organic donations very often but that's all we had! Hopefully someone who appreciates it will end up with it.)
3. Standing out in the cold for more than an hour with the kids in line to ride on a horse-drawn carriage in downtown White Bear Lake.
4. Taking the kids to see Santa, even though Kav was afraid of sitting on his lap and Kai just cried. But Kaylin asked Santa for a necklace! Which she got of course!
5. Testing Kaylin's memory of the Christmas story by asking her questions about the Nativity scene and baby Jesus over and over.
6. Finding out about a local light display to music that we could visit as a family (http://www.mnlightshow.com/)
7. Carolling 3 times. Once at a friend's annual carolling party, once at the White Bear Campus of my church on Christmas Eve afternoon, and once with a group I initiated for the 11:00 late night service in Lino Lakes.
8. Being very excited about a specific gift I have for someone.
9. Finding out a troubled friend is doing better than expected, despite the tough holiday time.
10. Last-minute shopping on the 22nd (It's nice to have a little left to do, mingling in the crazy crowds sure makes Christmas feel real! And just 3 gifts left was the right amount).
11. Calling Grandma with my condolences and to let her know the snowstorm was keeping us away from the funeral for my Grandpa, to hear her laugh about his rotten timing.
12. Putting out more decorations 2 days before Christmas because the house just didn't feel "Christmasy" enough.
13. Finally having all the ornaments on the tree! Rach had asked me a couple weeks ago if I was really able to fit them all on. I looked at my tree and thought 'hmmm...I guess it wasn't a problem' even though I remembered it seeming more full in the past. Although Ben thought it once again looked like it was about to topple over, to me it looked empty! But I didn't think much of it, and then on the 23rd when I was putting out more decorations I found my "main box" of ornaments! Ben gave me this look like "you've got to be kidding me" as I sought out branches to add this larger collection of our ornaments to.
14. Hearing Kav say "Ho Ho Ho. Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerry Christmas!" more robustly than Santa Claus.
15. Sharing Christmas Eve brunch with family we don't get to spend enough time with.
6. Finding out about a local light display to music that we could visit as a family (http://www.mnlightshow.com/)
7. Carolling 3 times. Once at a friend's annual carolling party, once at the White Bear Campus of my church on Christmas Eve afternoon, and once with a group I initiated for the 11:00 late night service in Lino Lakes.
8. Being very excited about a specific gift I have for someone.
9. Finding out a troubled friend is doing better than expected, despite the tough holiday time.
10. Last-minute shopping on the 22nd (It's nice to have a little left to do, mingling in the crazy crowds sure makes Christmas feel real! And just 3 gifts left was the right amount).
11. Calling Grandma with my condolences and to let her know the snowstorm was keeping us away from the funeral for my Grandpa, to hear her laugh about his rotten timing.
12. Putting out more decorations 2 days before Christmas because the house just didn't feel "Christmasy" enough.
13. Finally having all the ornaments on the tree! Rach had asked me a couple weeks ago if I was really able to fit them all on. I looked at my tree and thought 'hmmm...I guess it wasn't a problem' even though I remembered it seeming more full in the past. Although Ben thought it once again looked like it was about to topple over, to me it looked empty! But I didn't think much of it, and then on the 23rd when I was putting out more decorations I found my "main box" of ornaments! Ben gave me this look like "you've got to be kidding me" as I sought out branches to add this larger collection of our ornaments to.
14. Hearing Kav say "Ho Ho Ho. Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerry Christmas!" more robustly than Santa Claus.
15. Sharing Christmas Eve brunch with family we don't get to spend enough time with.
16. Hearing "Merry Christmas" from my sister-in-law Jennifer and niece Bryana.17. Attending the Eagle Brook service and getting misty-eyed as usual when dozens gave their lives to Jesus after the "It would take a miracle" series grand finale message "to restore my faith." http://www.itwouldtakeamiracle.com/ And multiply that by 18! Yes, our church had 18 services this year between the 3 locations.
18. Seeing a darling picture captured by a friend, of Kaylin and her best friend Jordan embracing in their "Christmas best." (Okay, so Jordan was in his Christmas best and Kaylin was just wearing a red snowflake sweater.)
19. Calling my sister Shayna just to make sure she had plenty of festivities to partake in despite working the majority of the holidays.
20. A Catholic Christmas Eve Service (they are more "Christmasy!" And a 4 pm service is the perfect time - entering at daylight and coming out to the darkness. NOW it is Christmas Eve.)
21. Hearing the most beautiful original Christmas song, written and delivered by my friend Jennifer at the service. "What would you give, to find a true friend, Jesus is right here, if you let him him... This is the night, silent night... he wants to know you... he wants to love you... this is the gift... this is your gift this Christmas Day... Jesus wants to mend the pieces, just let him in."
22. "Letting it go" more than once when arguing with Ben over insignificant things.
23. Talking about Santa Claus last minute, explaining what will happen that night. I am thankful my kids view Christmas as being primarily about baby Jesus, but to add some excitement to their nights I thought I'd better clue them in to the santa stuff the other kids are buzzing about!
24. Inviting over a poor lost soul (just kidding Sam!) who had no one else to spend Christmas Eve with, and having it be someone who brings with her a link to the experiences of Christmas past, and who I love to spend time with!
25. Inventing kiddie cocktails and serving them in fancy wine glasses to my kids (Perrier water, cranberry juice and apple juice). Being amazed they did not spill!!!
26. Not funny but funny - Kaylin saying to me "Mommy, you look fat like Santa Claus in that red shirt." Note to self: you've had 3 kids! Stop wearing low-rise pants!
27. The attempt at the "first Christmas picture of all 3 kids" in their dressy outfits after the last service, achieving somewhat with one shot out of ?!?
34. Getting 6 hours of sleep in a row!
35. Taking the usual pics of the tree with the gifts underneath, and the kids seeing it for the first time, only to find out they were more enthralled with all the new ornaments on the tree!
36. Seeing that for the most part both Kaylin and Kav could open their own presents now.
37. Seeing Kai actually being entertained by his new toys. Being SO thankful I gave in and bought my 3rd child some new things when he doesn't "need" anything at all. He got only 4 things, but I am excited he finally has some age-appropriate toys he's not bored with. He loves his leap frog activity table. I know I won't have to hold him as much this week!
22. "Letting it go" more than once when arguing with Ben over insignificant things.
23. Talking about Santa Claus last minute, explaining what will happen that night. I am thankful my kids view Christmas as being primarily about baby Jesus, but to add some excitement to their nights I thought I'd better clue them in to the santa stuff the other kids are buzzing about!
24. Inviting over a poor lost soul (just kidding Sam!) who had no one else to spend Christmas Eve with, and having it be someone who brings with her a link to the experiences of Christmas past, and who I love to spend time with!
25. Inventing kiddie cocktails and serving them in fancy wine glasses to my kids (Perrier water, cranberry juice and apple juice). Being amazed they did not spill!!!
26. Not funny but funny - Kaylin saying to me "Mommy, you look fat like Santa Claus in that red shirt." Note to self: you've had 3 kids! Stop wearing low-rise pants!
27. The attempt at the "first Christmas picture of all 3 kids" in their dressy outfits after the last service, achieving somewhat with one shot out of ?!?
28. Sharing our last bottle of wine from Italy, a dessert wine we've been saving for a very special occasion. It's about time! I need to learn to "enjoy life," not "save life." (Be Here Now!)
29. Wrapping presents late into the evening. Trying to enjoy the once-a-year opportunity instead of as usual, wishing I was done by now.
30. Listening to Shayna and the Madrigals sing carols on the Christmas Party Mix CD Shayna made me about 6 years ago.
31. Attending a 3rd Eagle Brook service for the day (just to carol this time and the last time).
32. Being thankful for the opportunity to participate in this late night service, which would be my choice every year if it wasn't for kids needing to sleep!
33. Staying up until 1, not because wrapping went that late, but because Ben and I were thoroughly enjoying and laughing at old video clips of the kids at various stages, especially the one where Kaylin is nursing her Care Bear.
29. Wrapping presents late into the evening. Trying to enjoy the once-a-year opportunity instead of as usual, wishing I was done by now.
30. Listening to Shayna and the Madrigals sing carols on the Christmas Party Mix CD Shayna made me about 6 years ago.
31. Attending a 3rd Eagle Brook service for the day (just to carol this time and the last time).
32. Being thankful for the opportunity to participate in this late night service, which would be my choice every year if it wasn't for kids needing to sleep!
33. Staying up until 1, not because wrapping went that late, but because Ben and I were thoroughly enjoying and laughing at old video clips of the kids at various stages, especially the one where Kaylin is nursing her Care Bear.
34. Getting 6 hours of sleep in a row!
35. Taking the usual pics of the tree with the gifts underneath, and the kids seeing it for the first time, only to find out they were more enthralled with all the new ornaments on the tree!
36. Seeing that for the most part both Kaylin and Kav could open their own presents now.
37. Seeing Kai actually being entertained by his new toys. Being SO thankful I gave in and bought my 3rd child some new things when he doesn't "need" anything at all. He got only 4 things, but I am excited he finally has some age-appropriate toys he's not bored with. He loves his leap frog activity table. I know I won't have to hold him as much this week! 
38. Snow on Christmas Day (after explaining to Ben the night before how I was glad we finally have a "White Christmas," but I didn't remember the last time it actually SNOWED for Christmas!)
44. Marveling at how no matter what you get your children, their favorite gifts are stickers, and also that they will always like each other's gifts better than their own.
39. Receiving the first call of the day from my sister-in-law Mollie to wish us a wonderful day (it was just as wonderful to hear she is spending her day with very supportive friends in her life!)
40. The phone call from Ben's mom to tell us they're thinking of us today even though they can't be here.
41. Kaylin's excitement to tell all the callers today what she got.
42. Wearing pajamas all Christmas morning and into the afternoon.
43. Kaylin excelling at her Dora video game system on the first try.
40. The phone call from Ben's mom to tell us they're thinking of us today even though they can't be here.
41. Kaylin's excitement to tell all the callers today what she got.
42. Wearing pajamas all Christmas morning and into the afternoon.
43. Kaylin excelling at her Dora video game system on the first try.
44. Marveling at how no matter what you get your children, their favorite gifts are stickers, and also that they will always like each other's gifts better than their own.45. Getting the Merry Christmas call from Rachel even though we will celebrate together in a few days and she is at her in-laws.
46. Being proud of myself for munching on veggies and my homemade dill dip all day when the rest of the world is eating cookies. But only because we simply didn't have any. Or wait, was it the "fat like Santa" comment?
47. Receiving tea from more than one person I love, to support my latest health kick!
Reheating tea in the toaster oven at least ten times because my kids don't need me any less today than any other day.
47. Receiving tea from more than one person I love, to support my latest health kick!
Reheating tea in the toaster oven at least ten times because my kids don't need me any less today than any other day.
48. Reading a children's book about the very first Christmas, in front of the fireplace together.
49. Getting a Christmas call from my dad, even without a reminder from a wife...
50. Who of course is my mom, and it was heartwarming to find out she gave up her Christmas at home to be with her mother while she mourns.
51. Driving to see Christmas lights tonight, and being very impressed with the musical light display mentioned above! For sure a new addition to the tradition list.
52. Eating organic chocolate ice cream with Ben to make up for the veggies.
50. Who of course is my mom, and it was heartwarming to find out she gave up her Christmas at home to be with her mother while she mourns.
51. Driving to see Christmas lights tonight, and being very impressed with the musical light display mentioned above! For sure a new addition to the tradition list.
52. Eating organic chocolate ice cream with Ben to make up for the veggies.
53. Engaging in productive conversation to establish the need to prioritize the kids more and to continue "downsizing" our lives.
54. Asking Ben to keep the Christmas lights on when he was heading upstairs for bed. "Wait! It's not over yet! I had one more hour here to enjoy my favorite musical lights (sound off for now of course) that have become as much a part of the holidays as anything for me.
55. Knowing that Christmas Day wasn't complete without calling my Grandma and Grandpa Robinson who we always spent the day with in the past. Being thankful they're night owls and I knew they'd still be up at 10!
56. Being completely astonished that I just wrote a list of 54 things that helped me to experience Christmas... Going back to add a couple more to the list, "combining" with others because I don't want to renumber them all!
57. Dreading tomorrow because I just stayed up until after midnight uploading pics to break up this blog and make it more readable. :)
Merry Christmas, and good night!
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1 comment:
You forgot #58: Spending Christmas with the best wifey in the world!
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