- Bought Christmas presents for boys? Uh… no. That perfectionist thing is getting in the way… and free shipping offers are running out.
- Wrapped Christmas presents? Well, you can’t wrap what you don’t have.
- Christmas picture? No.
- Christmas outfits? No… I’m not sure if we’re able to do the ever simple everyone-wear-a-red-turtleneck outfit — we might be missing the necessary accessory in a few sizes. Thus why Christmas picture isn’t done.
- Christmas cards? No… but I did buy stationery! No stamps yet.
- Address list done? Nope. I lost my hard drive, so redoing this has been… hard.
- Jesse tree? Still only has two ornaments.
- Advent wreath? Well, the fake one I bought to benefit All Saint band ten years ago is on the table… and we do light it and sing every night (YAY!! A YES!) but.. it has candles that are on year #3. Somehow lighting the candles loses that element of time and anticipation when all the candles have already been lit…. and so small that you have to blow them out as soon as you light them.
- Learning Christmas songs? Yay! This is more a yes than a no. Thank you CatChat CD!
- Finished Michael’s Christmas stocking that I started last year? Not yet. But Nancy my hero finished Luke and Philip’s for me!!!
- Made and froze Christmas cookies? Well.. I started! We ate those sugar ones but I still have dough in the refrigerator…?? Except for me Christmas cookies really equal peanut butter cookies with kisses on top (thanks Aunt Karen!)… and I haven’t bought kisses yet. Peanut butter never runs out in my house.
- Christmas menu and plans made? Not yet.
- House clean? …….. I’m sorry I had to pick myself off the floor from laughing that I even wrote this down as a feat to be accomplished.
- Christmas tree? Nope we thankfully do that on the 24th, so I don’t have to feel bad about that…
So… doesn’t it make one wonder? What on EARTH am I doing???? And the humorous element to this question is… I don’t remember.
In despair, I shared my lack of progress to a friend, and she pointed out a bright side to my unchecked checklist. In encouragement, she pointed out that I am getting ready for Christmas… daily. Daily, she said, I’m feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving drink to the thirsty, praying for the living and the dead, burying the dead, instructing the ignorant, comforting the sorrowful, admonishing the sinner, and bearing wrongs patiently — okay, so I’m not doing that I told her.
She reminded me that all those good deeds will make a soft manger for baby Jesus… even if the one that we made last year (with the help of JennGM) is still in the box in the basementdownstairs. Her perspective made this mom feel much better… cuz I was feeling like I was gypping my kids of all sorts of traditions this year. 😦
So there it is. I wanted to pass on her perspective to anyone else who is discouraged with your Christmas plans and needed a little persepective: you are not behind… you are right on track. 🙂
A Lee in the Woudes 
You have a very, very wise friend!
And I feel much better knowing I’m not alone in my frustations and feelings of loser-dom.
About the Christmas card/picture thingy – here’s what I decided – I’m going to take a picture when my kids are all dressed up nice for Christmas Mass – and IF I get around to a card and pictures, well then, there you have it. Otherwise, I’m not stressing about it. Breathe in. Breathe out. Letting it go…. Aaaaahhh, much better.
(((((HUGS))))))
I will try to remember what your friend told you. I’m not behind, I’m on the right track. I am better off right now than I expected to be, but I often think… what have I been doing?
Maryan — are you sure you’re not me?
Remember, too that your home-education clock (and therefore the whole rhythym of the home) is based on Dan’s schedule … so, he should be done on Friday and then all will fall in place. Also, you’re obviously doing the suffering thing during Advent … so get ready to party during Christmas! Sounds VERY Catholic to me.
Hugs and prayers and good wishes headed you way (altho next time could you warn your readers about the snow thing … I thought I was seeing bright floaters and at my age, that could be a REALLY BAD THING!)
Thank you for that. I really needed to read that. I’m so there with you. I think I may actually get my O Antiphon house out though but only because it’s already made.
You’re doing great Maryan! Babies need you. I was laughing at your advent wreath candle description…because it is the same thing here. You can never find purple and pink candles in December and who thinks of it any other time??? We blow ours out right after we sing (Ricky in falsetto —sigh….) and that usually causes them to rush through the song to see who can blow them out first. Are they missing the point?? And with Noah that means blowing and spitting all over the table, food, and us……or crying because Ricky or Sarah blew them out first. I silently repeat to myself…”kids grow up too fast….kids grow up to fast…”
Oh and a tip from me….cookie mix in a bag ( the peanut butter kind)….no one will ever know.
Yankee Candle actually makes an Advent candle pack! It is awesome! Your doing fine Maryan, it will all come together in the end.