Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays

Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays



The easiest of all answers: STRESS! Every holiday has some but why is it Christmas has so much? People look forward to the idealistic illusion of Christmas through out the year. Family coming together, lights strung around the house, a beautiful trimmed tree, all of the kids clean posed perfect for the Christmas card shot, snowflakes and sugarplum fairies. When reality hits them that Christmas is coming it most often is met by a sigh of not yet.

Now each year retailers bring it on earlier why? I do know the monetary answer but it does not make sense. People seem to shun the thought of Christmas in July or August. When you next start seeing the Christmas decorations mixed with Halloween pumpkins shoppers remark "isn't it to early?" The stores do not seem to please people by bringing it out earlier and earlier.

Now as we just passed black Friday and are in full and only Christmas season anxiety hits and stress levels go up. Why... the pressure. To make the idealistic version reality.

This year I personally fell more stressed out than others. I honestly think it has more to do with the fact I am pregnant but there are also many other normal contributing factors. I don't want that type of holiday. I don't want to be the person that stress makes me. I am not going to have it from this day forward.

People find stress in the appearance and consumerism of Christmas. When it is not all about that. Like the saying goes Jesus is the reason for the season. We need to redirect our focus. December is in one day. And I saw a familiar verse tonight that could not be better.

I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

He cares for me! This is the season to rejoice and give thanks in Him, celebrate the birth of the Christ. When I focus on the Lord I am not stressed out by the pressure. Instead I am dreaming in the nativity. I am at peace and joyful. I am who I want to be at Christmas and all the time. For this reason I am going to try two additional challenges.

The first is reading a chapter out of Luke each day. There are 24 chapters. I am going to set my alarm 40 minutes earlier from now on. I am going to wake up and read while the house is silent. It will start my day on the right foot and let me lead through out that day in the right spirit. If you would like to join in on this too you are so welcome. Welcome to our wonderland is hosting it:



Secondly I am going to join in at Women living well. She is suggesting 5 easy and free things this December that give us a moment to calm down and relax. So easy and so many benefits. To find out more about her's and join in check it out:

Women Living Well Blog: Peace On Earth December Challenge - Come Link Up!:


When relaxed and re focused the rest will fall into place. I plan not to spend time worrying but doing. I am not going to worry about decorating, shopping, cleaning I am going to get it done. I love the glitz of the holiday and I don't plan on ignoring that I plan on enjoying it. I am excited and ready not to be stressed.

I wonder how many people are gonna say fruitcakes?

Rediscovering Christmas Bible Challenge

Rediscovering Christmas Bible Challenge: December 1-24

A great challenge is soon starting. You have a day to clear your hearts and clear your mind. Starting December 1, myself along with some fabulous other bloggers, will be reading a chapter a day in the book of Luke. Luke has 24 chapters, perfect.

If you would like to join in the challenge then come read and share at Welcome to our Wonderland:

Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY

Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY



In no way am I a crafter. I have no talent with crafts. But my kids are and I have there "treasures" hanging up all over.

When we were again at Micheal's on Saturday over the loud speaker they announced if there are any children that would like to make a Christmas ornament you can come up frot. Mine were all over that. I am happy to indulge them so we went.

They each got a clear plastic ball and got to decorate it.





Gregory made his with glitter dots and a Christmas tree.



Evan made his with a wish list on the inside and snowflakes on the out.

They both enjoyed doing this. I enjoyed the mess was there and not at my house. And when we get our tree I will proudly hang them up on it.

Thanksgiving 2010

We are back from our Thanksgiving trip and we had a great time. We, me and my boys, went down to Massanutten in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Massantten is a resort for all seasons and we went there for the water park. My oldest Gregory has been asking to go down there for sometime now so it is great we got to go. Last time we went to the water park I just had two little boys.


I believe this was in 2007.

They were tiny handfuls who were scared of the water. Gregory cried most of the time and would not get in. Evan was so young we could just float around with him. Forward a few years I took 3 little boys all by myself, the older two have no fears and no problem swimming and my little guy he was a handful but certainly not scared.



Massanutten's water park is mostly inside. It is gigantic considering it is indoors. It even has a surfing spot. Gregory wanted to try it but when they told him no goggles he changed his mind.





There are more parts you can not even see in these pictures. There is an outdoor addition that we have never been to in warm weather. Even if you don't use the outdoor part of the park you still get thrusted outdoors as you are racing down watersides in inter-tubes.



You go so fast you really don't notice the cold when you are outside in the tubes. There are three big raft tubes you can choose to go down one is lite up, one is pitch black, and the other is fast. We went down all three. There are two others you don't use rafts on but being 5 months pregnant I thought I would pass.



Much of the time the boys took off and would climb all over the center island shooting water guns and going down sides. Sometimes I only saw the backs of their head as they passed by. They were having a blast.



I took Smiley on the island he was not scared. I was truthfully. As I am getting bigger my balance is off. On top of being unsteady I was carrying a squirmy, wet one year old on completely soaked surfaces where you also got shot by water guns at any time. Or buckets dumped on your head. For the most part the other water park patrons were pretty respectful of me and did not get me that much.



What we did the most was float around in the lazy river. Ah it was nice to lay there and relax.



Of course the boys turned it into a race. They would go around pulling at each others raft pushing it into the wall. When they would grab mine and Smiley's he would light up and start laughing. It was a lot of fun and nice for the older two to play with their brother.



I often would be able to round up Evan in the hot tub. To him it was a deep warm swimming pool. He loved it and it felt good to the cold surrounding.



How cold was it?



Yes that is there winter coats they are wearing. I wrapped them in their towels and bundled them in their coats to take them out of the heated pool area. It did not snow but burr. What bit was the wind.

We spent the entire day there we opened the park and stayed to closing. Four happy prunes ready for bed. It easily was the highlight of our trip.

Since we were away did I have the comfy cozy Thanksgiving I was wanting? Sorta. I did lay around and watch the parade.



But not in my pajamas.

Did the boys watch it with me?



No. They spent the time running around and taking self portraits. Until they quickly got bored of that and wanted to go to the park.



He had so much fun in that car. I wish I could install one at our house.







We played for a while but quickly became cold and hungry. No pizza we went out. It was delicious. I ate so much. I went in looking like I was pregnant with one, ate like I was pregnant with six, left looking regretful.

To work it off we went to the pool. I am burning off those calories.



Well at least one of us was. He swims non stop. He is my fish. This day was the first time he had got to jump off a diving board. He had a blast. All my pictures of him were blurry. He would dive then play. What a goof.



Even when we were not at the pool they played in the bathtub that is larger than the size of a normal hot tub. In a bathroom that is bigger than my bedroom at home.





Can you see the smiles on there faces? They loved this tub and it has bubble jets. Perfect for keeping little boys entertained. The room was covered in mirror and they thought it was so funny that they could see an infinite amount of themselves. You would think my kids are never out of water. I just think we need to move to a warm beach.

But they do dry off. When they are dry they sword fight. No matter when or where it is a good time to protect someone from something or just have fun with your brothers.



Thanksgiving was great. What made me most thankful was how happy my children were. They called their dad telling of there fun times. Gregory drew pictures and wrote stories about his trip. And he thanked me telling me how happy he was. He is worth it I am glad to do anything for him, any of them.

Some of the other thanks I have for this holiday are:

1. Spending a week with my kids.

2. Perfect traffic to and from. No traffic jam, delays, accidents or speeding tickets. I had cruise control on though.

3. Wonderful memories and a warm fire.



4. Seeing my parents and having them really enjoy time they spent with the kids. Them getting to know Smiley and be in love with him.

5. Boys playing outside in the woods. They were hunting Bigfoot to protect our family.





6. Having little boys. Little boys who love so much.



7. A full belly of food and babies.

8. My family!

What a wonderful Thanksgiving. A nice short holiday. Great to leave good to come home. Overly blessed by the one who loves us most.

Numbers 6:24-26

The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.'

Day 6: Gift ideas ... For ME!!

Day 6: Gift ideas ... For ME!!





Me presents! This is so easy and can be so long. I know the saying is it is better to give than receive and that is true...if you get something you don't really like. I love to get presents and get so excited and when you open that (blue) box and it is something you were dreaming about it is WONDERFUL!

First lets start with the budget friendly holiday gift ideas don't apply when shopping for me, spend as much as you want. There are many things I want and many I need.

Lets start with what I need.

As our family is growing we have grown out of our 1500 square foot cape cod that we call home, 14 Fir Street. We have doubled up everybody in bedrooms. We added a gigantic shed nearly barn for storage, that is full. We use every inch of our small yard. We need more space! I would like a new house, a larger house for Christmas.



Preferably on the beach but that is a want.

Again our large family has grown out of our current car. I really need a new one that can hold my entire family.



Wont that look nice in my new driveway?

Lastly for my needs more money.



It will take a lot to pay for the above.

If those are my needs and no one ever said your needs are cheap. That is why I still need them and don't have them then what could be my wants?

Jewelry. I would really like some staple pieces. I want lots of diamonds and I want it to be everyday wearable. I would really like a necklaces. One that is special and durable. I had one I loved that had a diamond and gold cross on a delicate chain, well the chain got terribly tangled and I have not been able to wear it for years. Here is a beautiful necklace that the chain is diamonds no pendant this diamonds are the necklace. It is not to overwhelming and could be worn form day to evening. You can find it at Tiffanys.



I would also love a pair of earring that do not have a post back. I would love some that sparkle from a mile away. However if the TCW is to much for hanging I can live with a post back. Both of these beauties are also found at Tiffanys.





I would really like a romantic getaway.



I have been wanting a new beautiful bed set for a while.



Some golf clubs. Spring is around the corner and I would love to get back in the game.



Well those are a few ideas. Maybe I will get one.

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special






Who does not love holiday movies? At our house we love movies. At my parents my mom loves movies. I used to watch many holiday movies with her. Earlier this week Gregory and I watched two with her thanks to the 25 days of Christmas movies on ABC Family. There is not one in particular that I could say is my favorite. I love them all. If I had to pick out the one that could be the closest to my favorite it would be White Christmas.



Oh the beauty. A classic from 1954 staring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney. They were so beautiful so elegant, classy, and gentile. It got everything romance, comedy, music and snow for Christmas. A perfect timeless movie.

A favorite at our house for the children are the Charlie Brown special they play for Christmas and every other holiday. The boys really get into them. Tonight they are watching one (actually 3 but that wasn't planned. I said they could watch the Charlie Brown special and then go to bed. Who knew there were 3 back to back. 4 hours worth can you believe it?)



Another oldie that I enjoy is Frosty the snowman. It is cute but the reason why I always liked it was the little girl's name was Karen.



But along with the classics of the season I always enjoy the new classics. The Griswolds and their dumb antics oh yes they crack me up.



Elf is so cute. I love Buddy.



There are so many others we like it would be boring to just make a post of pictures I am pretty much pulling off IMBD. I will sit and give and holiday movie a try. I like the made for TV movies too. Also TV specials. Oh I get lost in hours of HGTV Christmas shows. I love pictures of houses decorated. Places that decorate the whole town. And food network, I gain 10 pounds just watching the holiday food shows. To me its all good. I watch it all and if I miss it I got it on demand. Anytime can be a holiday filled show of some sort at our house.