year end

Finishing out another year.   I usually take some time to read back through old blog posts...and I realized that I posted less than 10 this year.     That's a far cry from previous years and a bit discouraging- realizing that I don't really have much to get out of my brain these days.

Looking back over the last few months:
I never completed that 21 days of writing.   But the 21st Annual Pumpkin Party, Taylor's wedding and Regina's Favorite Things Party all came and went.  Good times with all of it.

Greg and I at Taylor and Logan's wedding.
October 30,2021

I took the time in the last months to read back through ALL of my past blog posts (that I have published in several bound books, dating from 2005-2019.)   I am SO thankful to have those words in print.  There were so many moments and stories about my kids that I didn't remember AT ALL!  I 'm so glad that I have written evidence of the years past.   
Sadly there was plenty of entries with evidence of why my kids would need therapy as adults.  yikes. (Reading back through those posts.... I realize that I am NOT the same person that I used to be. And I also wish I had written more about the positive things in our lives.)
Fortunately, both boys seem to be doing fairly well as young adults and I'm thankful that God got them through some really rough times with their crazy mom.

December:   

I always remember that the Christmas season is not my favorite.   The commercialism and busyness is overrated.    I took advice from a YouTuber and decided not to smash visits with everyone I know into one month.   I have arranged to see some of my dear friends in January..... and surprisingly, that helped me focus a bit more on family during my days off from work. 

This is our first Christmas as empty nesters.... so I had additional feelings about things.
Decorating the Christmas tree was especially hard this year.  (Thanks, Greg, for taking on the task, and my whining).    The ornaments of my previous life are still strewn in our ornament box.... and I was faced with lots of memories that I wasn't ready for.  (Don't worry....I'm making plans to organize and divide ornaments between the boys as we un-decorate this week)

Lucas had to work over Christmas.... so he wasn't able to come home. :(

Turns out that we had a lovely Christmas eve.   The step-kids came to visit and share a slideshow of their wedding pictures.   Daniel came over in the evening and and we had a video call with Lucas! We were able to catch up with him for almost two hours.  We chatted and opened gifts together.  It was almost as if he were in the room.  :)

So thankful for technology!

Christmas day consisted of lunch with my family and dinner with Greg's family.
All in all- a lovely Christmas weekend.

Today...I put away the Christmas decorations.   So glad to have that stuff behind us.  Till next year.

preparing for Christmas

Christmas.  It's coming soon.  

I think we're ready.... but our preparations haven't taken the normal course this year.   Wait for it.

  

Early in the season, I made the proclamation that we would keep things super simple this year.  

Simple decor:

Greg and Lucas put up the Christmas tree.    I bypassed the inflatables again this year, just because.  And I had majorly downsized my Christmas decor last year.... so decorating was a breeze.

Simple gifting:

Our household agreed to purchase simple gifts for each other.  A few of us created Wish Lists on Amazon.   Earlier this week, packages started arriving and we realized that they are all addressed to ME..... since we all order through my Amazon Prime account.  (It hadn't occurred to any of us to change the addressee name on the orders.  haha)  So..... no one can open the packages for fear that we will ruin our Christmas surprises. 

My idea: Wrap all of the packages, no name tags.  On Christmas morning.... we'll pass them out and have an epic unboxing party.  Every gift will have a surprise inside.  lol

Simple fails:

Yesterday, early morning.... THIS happened.  

I think I blame the cat.  (May I remind everyone that Greg wanted the cat. )
Ornaments shattered, stand broken with no hope of repair.     We decided to clean up the wreckage and call it a day.    We'll shop for a replacement when things are on clearance.

Simple solutions:

Behold!   Our Amazon packages are wrapped with care and displayed under our Christmas lamp.

I'm certain this will be an unforgettable Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!   I hope that everyone has a blessed time making new memories this season.