My inspiration for this record of my days:

“The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less” -Anna Quindlen

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Christmas 2012

We had such a good plan.  We planned to spend Christmas up at the cabin in the snow.  No electricity, no running water, just good old-fashioned snow and cozy family time.

Preparations occupied a large percentage of my time and energy during the month.  I had visited multiple thrift stores, making sure we had all the right snow gear in all the right sizes.  I had gathered up games, puzzles and other entertainment for the little ones who would be mostly inside the whole time.  I prepared all of our meals, and froze them in disposable cookware so we wouldn’t have to worry about washing any dishes.

We had everything packed and piled in “the packing spot” the day before, and had even gotten the house all clean. 

And then… one of the kids started throwing up.  Violently and repeatedly.  I was prepared to overlook the sore throats and coughs that several kids were already showing signs of.  But the stomach flu?  That was just too much.  Despite a few tears and protests, we decided to cancel our trip.

Luckily, we had borrowed Uncle Doug’s quad for the snow, so the kids had lots of fun riding it around our back yard.  We ended up having a lovely Christmas.  Just us at home.

Here is what we did on Christmas Eve:

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Our traditional fancy dinner of ham, mashed potatoes, rolls and sparkling cider.

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Our traditional Nativity play.  During the day we had watched all of our nativities from years past, and it was fun to see the family grow right before our eyes.

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Then we opened ornaments, read the Christmas story, and set out stockings and cookies for Santa.  The kids all like to sleep in the same room, which is getting to be a pretty tight squeeze!

Jeff and I always watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” while the kids are going to sleep, but this year I couldn’t make it all the way through.  I had to go to bed early because I wasn’t feeling well.  I’m glad we decided to stay home for Christmas, but now I’m itching to get up to the cabin!  Our bags are still packed!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Christmas Cards

Davis 2012 Christmas Card

I love receiving Christmas cards every year.  Especially from the friends that live far away.  It makes me feel loved and connected to have pictures of friends displayed on the Christmas card wall.  Now I know it’s a bit hypocritical, but I have absolutely no interest in sending cards.

I have always just felt like that is one more thing to do in an already hectic month.  Apparently Savannah does not feel the same way.  Every year she begs me to do Christmas cards, and I’m usually successful at putting her off until it’s too late.

This year I turned it over to her.  My sister in law, who is single-handedly responsible for making sure we get family pictures done occasionally, took these great pictures for us.  I just rounded up the best of whatever kids had in their drawers, and Leah worked her magic!

With the pictures done, I told Savannah I was willing to commit to 20 Christmas cards.  No more.  If she would do all the work and send the card to be printed, I would pick them up from Costco.  Well… she did it.  I think she did a great job!  And I already addressed my 20 cards, plus a few that Savannah wanted to hand out to friends.

Please don’t feel bad if you don’t get a Christmas card.  I only sent them to the friends who live far away, and whose addresses I happened to have sitting on my desk.  It may take me a few years to work up to it but eventually I hope to be able to include all of the people I love and think of at Christmas time!

Contentment

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Today was not all peaches and cream… I’m not gonna lie.  But there were several moments in the day when I felt a deep, peaceful joy as I noticed the little details of my life.

1.  Getting the best parking spot at Walmart first thing in the morning.  I tell my kids that’s a good omen.

2. Josh’s face during his basketball game.  He just beams with happiness the whole time he’s playing.

3.  My clean kitchen windowsill – yesterday’s project.

4.  Watching Jonah teach Simon how to play four square out back – just past the yellow pecan tree.

5. Discovering a beehive in one of our peach trees.  It’s fascinating!  And I’m not sure why, but somehow it makes me feel connected to nature.  (It’s not like I’m actually doing any of the work!)

6.  Making a big pot of potato broccoli cheese soup.  It hit the spot tonight, and I even made a double batch so I could freeze some for later. (patting myself on the back)

7.  Putting new superhero pajamas on little boys fresh out of the bathtub.

8.  Reading “Frosty the Snowman” to the kids.  It has been a tradition to read a Christmas book every night in December, but as the kids get older and busier, it gets harder and harder to squeeze in.

9.  Hearing the hum of the dishwasher (which is actually kind of loud and annoying) after everyone is tucked in bed.