Taking Back Christmas

What is it about the Holidays that makes us run ourselves ragged? Whether it's to the mall for that last gift, sitting in traffic to get OUT OF THE MALLS PARKING LOT, being out almost every single night of December for an event of some form, baking the holiday cookies, entertaining, pictures with Santa, the Christmas Train, okay my point is made. Why do we do it?  For me, I do it because, somewhere in all of its chaos, I am loving every minute of it.

Case in point, our annual tradition of pictures with Santa...



What does the photographer not get about "just take the picture." Here he is trying to wait for Sienna to smile for the camera not realizing that it is only going to get WORSE by the second and not any better...clearly not a dad himself, and maybe could have helped if the photographer was a female...?? Just a thought. But really, as my husband and I are standing back laughing at all that is going on, we wouldn't care if BOTH kids were crying, somehow it makes it all the more entertaining! On a side note, the amazing thing in kids growing up, Kai was able to actually tell Santa what he wants for Christmas this year.  A dump truck...a RED dump truck. And Santa's search began.

And then the rest of the minutes without agenda, I love turning on our Christmas tree lights, and sitting. There is something to be said of the song "Its the most wonderful time of the year." It is remembering to sit and enjoy the minutes, the moments, the memories through this crazy holiday season because when you actually relax, you remember what it is you love about this time of year. This year is our first Christmas in our new home and the first Christmas that we  have a REAL CHRISTMAS TREE! So in all efforts we got the tree up the first weekend of December...and with daily watering it is holding out! Here is a tradition I thought could be a lot of fun and another thing for us to do with the kids. There are several Christmas Tree farms in the Valley where you get to go and cut down your own tree, or even buy a tree that they cut fresh that morning. Something fun and different! Well, I guess you could say at least the thought was there!



We ended up at the North Vancouver Rona parking lot sale instead :-)

In the midst of all the things we have to do and all the things we want to do, slowly my husband and I are realizing that the only ones that have control over our time is...us.   Sometimes a lot of what makes the holidays so busy is based on expectation.  Expectation is a hard thing, but as you are able to let go of it a little, life becomes more of what you want of it. To me, and to us, family and friends are what matter and you learn quickly those who feel the same way and that will make the efforts for you as well.  "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~Dr. Seuss

We are taking back Christmas. Making sure that in all the hustle and bustle the Holidays bring, the most time spent is with the ones you love. So as I sit here typing this new post, the Christmas baubles are being removed from the tree by a set of very tiny hands, the centerpiece is being torn off of the table by another set of slightly larger hands and there is still a certain someone still "snug in their bed." So let go of the things you cannot change and embrace the half-decorated Christmas tree that is sitting in your living room. Merry Christmas from our crazy family to yours!

xo

Snow!

I love this time of year. The snow is falling outside, the house is getting warmer daily with all the Christmas decorations making their annual appearance, the kids are watching Christmas movies as Kai asks if Santa is coming to visit him..."its the most wonderful time of the year."

For me, as I sit here watching the snow fall, it brings a sense of relaxation...a calming. It is so beautifully serene and quiet. (the outside that is, inside our house is a FAR cry from quiet!)  Snow for me means Christmas, this is truly my FAVORITE time of year. It represents so many things, and the most important, Family and Friends. Through the holiday parties, the crazy mall line ups, the dinners and plays, the decorating and baking, pictures with Santa, the Christmas Train...there are so many things to fit into this one amazing season. Sometimes it gets so busy I find myself asking why. Why do we try to do it all? For me, the answer is simple; because at the end of the day, I love it all. Everything I fill my days with through this joyous season are for or with the people I love, and memories are made daily. With our young family, traditions are being made and kept and honoured. Love is felt.

It is a time that also puts into perspective what we have and how truly fortunate we are. It is so easy for this concept to escape us as we make our way through life with our own life struggles; but I feel fortunate because through all the struggles and life lessons, I still have an amazing family, wonderful friends, food on the table and a roof over my head. As we are turning up the heat in our homes because "baby its cold outside," think of those people less fortunate who can't afford the heating bill or even worse, have no roof over their heads at all...

So in this season of giving, I choose not to forget the less fortunate, as I have much to be grateful for. A small gesture that takes only time, I volunteer at the Christmas Bureau. For me this isn't work, I don't expect anything in return, yet I receive a lot in return for doing it. When I was there last year I met many amazing people and learnt many things about myself. This is why I will be back year after year after year. If I can help make even the smallest difference in someones day,even if it is just to listen to them, why wouldn't I? I think it's a concept that we all have a term for...paying it forward. It is a season for giving; and you don't need money to give, just some of your time.

What are you doing this Holiday Season? Will you Pay It Forward?

Here are a few pictures that capture our moments of the season so far...