We started 2023 off with a quiet NYE at home, trying to recover from the flu. I was bummed, because Brian and I had made reservations at Ludevine and the kids were going to spend the night at GMa's, but I just didn't feel like it. GMa brought us a New Years Eve care package, complete with chicken pot pie, meatloaf, brownies, hot rolls, and party hats and blowers. She takes such good care of us!
Goodbye, 2022!
I tried to stay away from everyone, but I came out long enough to take a quick pic. I was several days in at this point, so I really don't think I was contagious anymore.
We have been saving a gift card, and we were so excited to use it, but we will have to try again another time.
When you're 2, and Momma has the flu, it's just very hard to understand why you can't cuddle!
He came in to see me, with his Spider-man mask on for protection, so he wouldn't get the flu!
This will make me laugh forever! =0)))) We had all gone to bed early...didn't make it 'til midnight...I was laying in bed downstairs & all of a sudden heard a party horn blow...well, here it is...Madi snuck up on Mackenzie and scared her! Funniest thing is that she video'd it...Mack's reaction is priceless! Oh man, these girls! Lol!
I came across this article and it pretty much sums up the week between Christmas and New Years perfectly. I always enjoy just having down-time at home, playing with new toys and resting, after the craziness of December is over. This year, we were also preparing for Nationals in Orlando with Mackenzie, at the end of the break. She had several practices, so we were running back and forth to the school all week. I also came down sick with the flu, so I spent a lot of time in bed. I'm just glad that happened after Christmas and before Nationals, so I didn't really miss much.
Here are just a few random pics from the week after Christmas.
Did anyone else struggle today?
I felt like I should be doing something.
I’ve been so busy these last few weeks…
Cleaning and shopping and wrapping and preparing and tying up all the loose ends before the New Year.
Plus, after yesterday the house is still a mess…
Littered with boxes and wrapping paper and all the gifts yet to be matriculated into the rest of the house.
The Christmas tree looks weird now without anything underneath.
With the stockings tossed on the hearth and the fridge filled to the brim with leftovers, I’ve been fighting the urge all day to DO SOMETHING!!!
Clean this mess up!!
Put everything away!!
Take down the tree and decorations!!
Go through the kids closets and take extras to Goodwill!!
Re-clean the house top to bottom since the kids have been home from school now for days and this place is a pig-sty!!
Catch up on all the laundry!!
DO SOMETHING!!!! ANYTHING!!! EVERYTHING!!!
It’s crazy, really. I know. Because most of the time, I LONG for simple, quiet, slow days. And truthfully, I’m exhausted.
I really do need a day or two to simply REST.
But…
Sometimes my mind keeps me from relaxing.
Sometimes my expectations keep me from ever really resting.
Sometimes I imagine I should ALWAYS be productive.
And if I’m not being productive, I think I should be doing something meaningful with the kids…some kind of mom-manicured memory making.
Right???
I’ll bet you do this too!!
I’ll bet you get all wrapped up in the quest to DO SOMETHING!!
But seriously, can we just stop for a minute and take a good hard look at the kids?
All day my kids were happy as little clams.
Eating their candy and playing with new toys and video-gaming to their little hearts’ content.
Nowhere to go. Nothing to do. No place anyone needed to be.
You guys.
What if we took a lesson from our kids??
What if we ignored that need to be ‘productive?’
What if we did our best to just BE???
We don’t always have to DO…it’s okay to just BE.
Be here.
Be present.
Be content.
This was a day to just BE.
A wonderful day for nothing and somehow everything…
Because isn’t that really SOMETHING, after all??
Made my first ever Athleta purchase!
Trying on his new undies he got for Christmas! Not quite ready for them yet, but it won't be long!
Merry Christmas, to all of our wonderful friends and family! (I gave up on sending actual Christmas cards years ago, so this post on Facebook is as good as it gets!)
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
