Christmas

Every year I struggle with the idea of having to create a magical Christmas for my children. My problem, my parents did such a good job. It wasn’t long after having Haley that I realized that the magic of Christmas isn’t magic at all…it’s Mom! The hours of cookie and candy making, the decorations, the shopping and wrapping, the stories, the warmth. It’s all created by my Mom. Now this wasn’t that big of a deal when we lived close to home. I still didn’t have to put to much work into the Christmas magic, because my Mom did it for me. Well, almost 6 years ago we moved and I inherited the full title of Christmas Magic Maker. The first year turned out great, of course the girls were young and they loved everything. The next several years we made the trek back to Colorado and rode on my Mom’s coat tails. The yummy Christmas Eve dinner, Santa’s magical trip, Papa’s strawberry waffles (oh yes, my Dad does help some with the magic of the day.) Again, I didn’t have the pressure on my shoulders. Last year with our trip to Germany and France, the magic of the season just enveloped us. I don’t know how it can’t in that wonderful place. So, again it wasn’t hard. This year however, I was feeling the pressure once again. Because I am 7 months pregnant we decided that it wasn’t a good idea to make our annual trek to Colorado and Nana’s house. A decision that was hard to make, and one that we questioned on more than one occasion. So, that was it, it’s my turn to make the magic happen.

My sweet husband made a special request this year, he wanted to help with the magic. Bless him, I was running low on energy. So, together we worked on creating Christmas. We shopped together, wrapped together, cooked together and it was wonderful! Even with all of that I worried. I knew the girls were going to look at us on Christmas morning with eyes that say, “we know this is a total sham, and you blew it!” They are getting older, and it’s a bit harder to keep the magic alive. How do you create those heart beating out of your chest type of feelings, those feelings of walking on air, that feeling of pure joy? Well, I am happy to report, mission accomplished! I think between Mike and I we did it. There were squeals of delight, gasps of joy and overall excitement. I even overheard Emily say to Hannah, “this is the best Christmas ever!!” Be still my heart!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!