Over the period of a month we've (if we're lucky) all spent countless hours with family. The shouting. The arguing. The "when are you having (more) babies?" The pressure of getting that perfect gift. The getting from point A to point F all in one day.
I need a nap after typing all of that.
Every single year, like clock work, the same things are set into motion. Why do we do this to ourselves? I think it's because in those few moments between Grandpa cleaning his dentures at the dinner table, and Aunt Mary telling you you need to lose weight, we can look around the room and appreciate our favorite things about creepy Uncle Chuck and cousin Susie's bottle fed 9 year old.
We get so caught up in meal planning, gift giving, and holiday budgets that we forget the best parts of the season.
Here are my favorite parts of this year's festivities. I encourage you to make a list of your own, too.
1. My husband and I opening gifts on December 21st, BECAUSE WE CAN. There will be a day when it will be up to us to keep the gifts under the tree until Christmas, but December 21, 2013 was not that day.
2. Checking the mail everyday to see whose Christmas cards we got. It made getting bills during the holidays bearable.
3. Getting to snuggle with my cousin's sweet baby girl, and playing with her 4 year old (Two things I don't get to do often enough!)
4. Hearing my husbands Gramma laugh after being voiceless for a month. You could hear her voice for just a second. What a gift!
5. Calling and FaceTiming my peeps on Christmas. I love getting to see people I otherwise wouldn't get to see on Christmas.
6. My niece telling me "Thanta filled my Thocking!" Her face was so lit up. The bigger her eyes get, the stronger the lisp.
7. Being treated like one of the kids at my mother-in-laws. She gets all of the gifts out while we're all "sleeping" and we come out to the mounds of Christmas gifts around the tree Christmas morning. (THAT IS ALWAYS EXCITING. I DON'T CARE HOW OLD YOU ARE!)
8. Lounging around in my Christmas jams most of the day. I eventually got all of my in-laws to refer to pajamas as jams. #winning
9. How excited my sister in law was about the gift I got her. #nailedit
10. The look on my husband's face when I opened the gift he was most excited about giving me. (The gift was a favorite, too. Obviously.)
11. My mom drew my name, and went over the $25 limit and spoiled me. Because, well, let's just be honest. She's responsible for the reason that I am spoiled.
12. Hearing my 94 year old Grandma's voice. We shared the same concerns about flu season. #thatsmygirl
13. My nephew in his Grinch shirt and pouty face.
14. Trying to convince my dad that orange, blue, and white match. I got him a tie from my University (the school colors are orange and blue), and he couldn't believe that the orange and white tie would match a blue shirt.
15. My sister's, right on time, attitude. It's probably the best and most entertaining thing at Christmas. I love it.
These are a few of my favorite things! This is why the stress is worth it. Have fun with your list!
I need a nap after typing all of that.
Every single year, like clock work, the same things are set into motion. Why do we do this to ourselves? I think it's because in those few moments between Grandpa cleaning his dentures at the dinner table, and Aunt Mary telling you you need to lose weight, we can look around the room and appreciate our favorite things about creepy Uncle Chuck and cousin Susie's bottle fed 9 year old.
We get so caught up in meal planning, gift giving, and holiday budgets that we forget the best parts of the season.
Here are my favorite parts of this year's festivities. I encourage you to make a list of your own, too.
1. My husband and I opening gifts on December 21st, BECAUSE WE CAN. There will be a day when it will be up to us to keep the gifts under the tree until Christmas, but December 21, 2013 was not that day.
2. Checking the mail everyday to see whose Christmas cards we got. It made getting bills during the holidays bearable.
3. Getting to snuggle with my cousin's sweet baby girl, and playing with her 4 year old (Two things I don't get to do often enough!)
4. Hearing my husbands Gramma laugh after being voiceless for a month. You could hear her voice for just a second. What a gift!
5. Calling and FaceTiming my peeps on Christmas. I love getting to see people I otherwise wouldn't get to see on Christmas.
6. My niece telling me "Thanta filled my Thocking!" Her face was so lit up. The bigger her eyes get, the stronger the lisp.
7. Being treated like one of the kids at my mother-in-laws. She gets all of the gifts out while we're all "sleeping" and we come out to the mounds of Christmas gifts around the tree Christmas morning. (THAT IS ALWAYS EXCITING. I DON'T CARE HOW OLD YOU ARE!)
8. Lounging around in my Christmas jams most of the day. I eventually got all of my in-laws to refer to pajamas as jams. #winning
9. How excited my sister in law was about the gift I got her. #nailedit
10. The look on my husband's face when I opened the gift he was most excited about giving me. (The gift was a favorite, too. Obviously.)
11. My mom drew my name, and went over the $25 limit and spoiled me. Because, well, let's just be honest. She's responsible for the reason that I am spoiled.
12. Hearing my 94 year old Grandma's voice. We shared the same concerns about flu season. #thatsmygirl
13. My nephew in his Grinch shirt and pouty face.
14. Trying to convince my dad that orange, blue, and white match. I got him a tie from my University (the school colors are orange and blue), and he couldn't believe that the orange and white tie would match a blue shirt.
15. My sister's, right on time, attitude. It's probably the best and most entertaining thing at Christmas. I love it.
These are a few of my favorite things! This is why the stress is worth it. Have fun with your list!
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