Sorry for the lack of posts over the last week…I have to be honest… this week I have spent as much time as possible celebrating my two babies. Although this season is merry and bright, it can also be busy…and rushed…and stressful. There seems to be so many things to do and so little time. Even thought the full calendar holds joyous events {like 3 date nights in less than 2 weeks}, it is a full calendar just the same. There are cookies to bake, gifts to buy…then wrap, parties to attend, decorating to do…and the list goes on and on. I made the decision last Friday to give my children the gift of being truly present with them while they are home. Too often I am busy being busy. You know – besides my design work, there is laundry and dinners, lunches, and cleaning, picking up toys and washing dishes…busy work. I am taking notes from my 3 and a 5 year old this year. They are excited and anxious and full of joy and giggles. They aren’t stressed, or rushed. Kids don’t care if you pack their calendar full of fun holiday parties and busyness. Most of the kids I know are happy just spending time with their family…they just want to be with people who love them. They are PRESENT in everything they do and can find joy in the smallest tasks.
Too often I say “Lets not work on crafts today, mommy doesn’t really have time to clean it up” or “Sure, we can do that a little later”…why? Because I don’t want to vacuum the inevitable glitter off the floor? Or because I know that the little brother will join in and make the mess a whole lot worse? Since last Friday I have vacuumed a lot of glitter up after craft times, I have played “rocketship” to Mars when I was asked to join in…not “later”, I helped build a secret fort, and I have volunteered to do more with my daughters school. I know I am not alone in committing to be more present. A friend I spoke with yesterday said that she volunteered in her daughters class yesterday morning…not because she didn’t have a million other things on her to-do list…but because she knew it was where she should be. Because of people I have never met, I will carry on a life being more present in every moment. It is the best way I know to honor those who won’t be able to spend this year with loved ones. I am learning to be ok with a little “mess” and to slow up on the word “later”.
Right now I am in the middle of a book titled “Love Does”. Best. Title. Ever. I know love isn’t just about how you feel, it’s about what you do. It’s about doing, and being there, and soaking it in. I am sharing our Christmas card today, which is one of my favorite yet. I look at this picture as the kind of “present” I want to be with my family every day.
I hope you all join me in letting go of a little bit of the “rushing around” this season and use those moments to be truly present with the ones you love, even if it means you will spend a little extra time vacuuming glitter…I promise that the trip to Mars will make up for it.
From our family to yours – Merry Everything and Happy Always
I love this series of images!! Did you create this as your card or is there somewhere to purchase it? I want to steal it for my family’s card next year 🙂
Hi Becky! Thank you! I created the card design for our family’s card, but I would be happy to create a template you could order!
That would be incredible!! Yes please 🙂 I have five young children, three being one year old triplets, so I love having a card where we can get lots of pictures in.