Feeling Merry

I have only bought one gift.  :/  One gift and I haven't written a list yet of who else I need to buy for.  And ideas for those gifts???  Nada.

I'm feeling a little behind.

Behind, but not stressed.  I think in some weird way I'm strolling along with December enjoying these moments that are sneaking up on me.

I am thankful Mike, Shane and Marin got us started by getting the lights on the house the weekend after Thanksgiving.  Every time we have gone out...it's looked like we've got this Christmas thing going, not to mention giving us each a smile.  It's like my house says 'Merry Christmas' every time I see those lights.  And I like those kinds of Merry Christmas'.  Peaceful.  No rushing.  Doesn't cost money.  Pretty.  A reminder of the happy day to come.

I think this first week of December has been like that.  Many moments bringing lots of joy.

One thing that I know has really influenced things have been our 'no tv' rule.  We (and when you read 'we' read 'Mike and I' ;) decided to turn off the T.V. from Thanksgiving until Christmas.  There's a few other restrictions in there too like no computer for mom except an am and pm time with a few other exceptions.   And Mike....he's got some phone restrictions. ;).  We have allowed ourselves to watch some Christmas movies during this time though.  But it's been pretty great.  It's funny how often we turn to electronics when we're feeling bored.  And so lately, we've most often turned to each other.  I think it's allowed us to linger once finished with something because we're wanting to check out the (fill in the blank).  It's been really nice.

So this has been a pretty full week, like most weeks in December will be.  On Saturday after another of my boys exciting football games (yay, Lions!!), we had our first Christmas party of the season.  We had tons of laughter and fun with family creating new traditions and also celebrating old ones.  As always...LOVE seeing cousins play with cousins and in some instances, cousins playing with aunts and uncles too.

 

 

I can tell you want to laugh at our Santa.  But he's perfectly imperfect.  Which is really better than perfect.

LOVE Just Dance.  If you don't have it...go get it.

And then on Sunday we headed out and cut ourselves a TREE!!  (Have to thank my friend on this one, I was thinking we had to wait until after the 12th and she encouraged me to get the darn tree already!).  It's been y. e. a. r. s. since we've had a live tree.  I don't think my kids had one memory of searching and picking the "perfect" tree and that glorious smell.  So...we decided to go for the real deal.  And not only did we PICK that beautiful tree, my kiddos were able to cut it down too.    Supa' fresh!  So then of course our Sunday eve was filled with some decorating, with a few craft projects thrown on the side.

 

 

 

Forgot to mention it rained...

I heard "Merry Christmas" in all these things.  And it's these kind of things that keep the "Merry Christmas" ringing in my heart.  (Seriously...I'm sitting here typing this with a fully content lopsided grin on my face.)

I know I'll have to get my list going pretty soon.  And I know once I get started I'll get into finding/making things for those I love.  But for sure I want to keep in this posture to enjoy all these December happenings and not to stress.