Hey Mac Families!
Thanksgiving was late this year. Raise your hand if that completely threw off your timing as we were hurled into the winter holidays. Just me?
Getting ready for Christmas is always a little chaotic, but this year seems extra stressful. It could be the shortened window between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It could be that I have a few extra things on my plate this year. I really thought it would be easier with older kids to prepare for the big day. I was wrong.
It's still tough to get everything checked off of that to do list, although maybe not for the same reasons. But tough, nonetheless.
You know what, though? I still enjoy this time of year with my family.
My kids now help me get ready for Christmas. My hubs has taken over some of the things that stress me out, like squeezing in the Christmas baking. And despite the chaos, there are moments in there that I appreciate... when I stop to breathe and look around, knowing that these times are fleeting.
I know it sounds cliche, but I'm going to say it anyway.
It goes SO, SO fast.
I have been a parent for over 20 years but I remember the days when my kiddos were babies like it was yesterday. It feels like it WAS yesterday, yet also seems so far away.
So, try to take five minutes over the next few days, before your kids go back to school, and the chaos sneaks in, and soak it in. Just watch them for a few minutes, and enjoy your family, even if they are driving you nuts, or there is dinner to make, or bathrooms to be cleaned. Take just five minutes, and stick that memory in your "memory jar".
I promise you, when your kids are older, and helping you bake, or clean, or prepare for the winter holidays, and when you realize that you are actually enjoying winter break, you'll remember that moment. And you will smile.
Peace ☮️, Love ❤️, & Macaroni 🌼,
Christen
