recent chaos called LIFE

I don't know how or when I became such a brainy mess, but I am. I have literally lost my mind. I have always been on.top.of.it and now, I am everyfreakinwhere. Work is busy busy and there are days I forget don't have time to eat or take a break if I want to get out on time to pick up my babe. Thanksgiving, birthday parties, family gatherings, holiday gatherings, football games, ahem, war damn, Christmas cards, decking the halls, new family traditions with the kiddos... and somewhere in there I have to shop for gifts? I had a bit of a moment of panic last night when I realized that Christmas is upon us- 3 weeks, actually- and the outside of our house is not even decorated. Not one single bit. My Christmas cards are in, but not addressed... Our tree is up, but not a present is wrapped, if at all bought. Auburn won the Iron Bowl last weekend, to everyone's shock and amazement. It was wonderful and consumed my weekend. Now we go to the SEC Championship game this coming Saturday- an unexpected surprise, but a surprise nonetheless. So much for Christmas shopping. Ri has had a crumby cold since Friday (in which I had to sleep in her crib. I know, it was as awful as one would imagine), and threw up all over Chris and the sofa last night. Well, at least we have gotten over the fear of the first time that would happen. So we can forget shopping this week, as well.
Looks like I might need to take to the internet this week and pray that my goodies arrive my Christmas Day. At this point, maybe even wrapped.

But I look back at this post and see all the things that used to matter so much to me at Christmas and how much they don't anymore. It is now about making memories and doing things together. I care much more about our upcoming trip to the Polar Express, meeting Santa, going to the Church of the Highlands Christmas Service, hosting my first annual Mommy+Mini Holiday playdate, baking, painting and the list goes on. I could without gifts for myself anymore. Watching my little one make holiday memories is gift enough in itself.

So if you are reading this and get a Christmas card from us, with your address scribbled across the front, know it was in the true spirit of Christmas that I decided you would rather see the card than my perfect calligraphic penmanship across the envelope, that will indeed wind up, rather immediately, in the trash.

Slow down from the hustle and bustle and just take in the meaning of it all. 'Tis the Season... May all your days be merry and bright.