Ho Ho Ho
What a beautiful and chaotic Christmas we've had! It was filled with celebrating family, friends, traditions and of course, so many treats and so much food. We really are so blessed.
Prepping for Christmas this year was more intentional. I did a couple of different things that brought me joy and it was worth every minute of it! I dehydrated orange slices and made sugared cranberries.. something I've always wanted to do but usually settle and convince myself that it's not worth the time. I was wrong.. it really was worth every minute because this little simple things, made me so happy.
We went to bed late on Christmas Eve. When we got home from Grandma and Grandpa Reed's house we watched a family movie and stayed up late. The kids went to bed after 11pm. We all slept in our own beds this year instead of cramming everyone into our room. Everyone was happy to do that except sweet Penny who wasn't ready to let that go but she did sleep so much better and was in much happier spirits on Christmas Day than her usual exhausted self. Sometimes, it's ok to let traditions be a little phase and when we grow out of it, it's ok to let it go.
We made sure to set out little homemade chocolates and milk for Santa and Penny left a little note.
The morning came early, as it always does, and the excitement was unmatched. Santa's chocolates and milk were gone and the tree filled with gifts. I love that the magic of Christmas morning is still in full swing. However, no one was as fast or excited as Kobe. That pup knows exactly what happens Christmas morning and he doesn't skip one beat. He's the best to watch.
Everyone was happy and full of smiles and gratitude (which, as a parent, is the biggest win of Christmas morning!) We cleaned up the mess, got ready for the day and welcomed my parents and siblings for the afternoon/evening. It's fun having all the cousins over to hang out with each other. The table was decorated and set, dessert was looking so so dreamy and my parents came early to get the turkey started. It was the perfect afternoon of cooking and games and gift exchanges.
We are so grateful for Grandma and Grandpa Gardiner and the thoughtful gifts they shared, the dinner they helped prepare and the attention to detail my Mom always has. Our kids are so lucky to have them for Grandparents.
With the chaos of Christmas coming to an end and looking forward to a slower pace for a couple of months while simultaneously mentally preparing for the cloud of weird stagnant energy that always follows after the Christmas season, Brian and I took down all the Christmas decor today for a full reset. We packed up the overwhelming clutter that just yesterday was Christmas magic and traded it for a clean and tidy home.
It's an awkward in between that I never cherish as much as I should. We reflect back on the Christmas cards sent this year and the jolly memories made as a family.
We are forever grateful for this beautiful phase of life with the best kids on earth. We celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the infinite love he gave to each and every one of us. We gift give the same way the wise men brought gifts to Jesus and we look for the hope of good tidings in the new year the same was the Shepards followed the star with hope to see the Saviour.
"May we all believe like Mary, trust life Joseph, hope like the Shepards, seek like the wise men, worship like the angels and love like Jesus. "
Merry Christmas - Love us.