This year was an incredibly relaxed Christmas. Despite all my worry and stress about feeling behind … it all came together … as it always does! The thing is, and I know I mentioned this last year too … I’m dealing with MS and need to remember to do my best to slow down, which, in all honesty … I’m definitely getting better at! The problem is, it seems now more than ever … if I have even just a couple of things on my plate, for some reason it seems like 100. Somehow my brain, MS, and stress level can’t process more than one thing at a time and I get seriously overwhelmed.
But all that said …
By the time Christmas day rolled around … it all fell into place and I had a great day just rejoicing, celebrating and loving on my family!
The images below of Wynter capture a memory I pray I remember always! A few weeks before Christmas, one of our dogs mutilated one of Wynter’s stuffed dogs, so she put all the pieces in a box and left a note for santa, asking him to fix it. She also taped a photo to the box of her with the “plootl” in happier days.
The night before Christmas, we got home late, the kids got to bed late and I still had a few presents to wrap. I found myself spiraling down the well of “I still have so much to do and you’re {CJ, that is} laying in bed watching TV?!?” PLUS, I have to hand-stitch this stuffed animal together?! I have to admit, I was a teensie bit tempted to leave the ol’ animal and make some excuse that santa probably forgot his sewing kit! ;)
Fortunately, I was able to rally my thoughts … both towards CJ and the animal … and sewed up her beloved poodle. She’s also had a kangaroo sitting on my sewing machine for a couple of weeks, so I decided to put it’s arm back on and put it under the tree with the poodle.
Come Christmas morning, it was the first thing on their minds … “Did santa sew plootl?” And they ran upstairs to check it out. I SO wish I had video to capture the moment of sheer delight, joy, amazement … “yes … santa had sewn the poodle and even the kangaroo!” All Piper could keep saying was, “that’s amazing!” And she really meant it. They were in total awe. Santa even circled “yes” on the note with his bright red sharpie!
Their excitement was a gentle reminder of how precious these memories and moments really are. They won’t be here forever … or for very much longer. I need to remember to cherish them every chance I get.
And next up … Taylor’s been wanting a puppy. She’s been volunteering in a pet store, washing and drying all the new little puppies that come in … and of course, that means she wants to take every one of them home with her! A couple of chihuahuas, in particular, have caught her eye. But then she found a website. A website specializing in teacup chihuahuas … and of course, a dog purse/carrier to go with them! After a lot of discussions, we decided to get her one for Christmas … a puppy that is. Well, and the carrier to go with it.
And since the puppy we picked is still at the breeder, I printed a picture of “moxie” and put it inside of the doggie purse and that’s what Taylor opened for Christmas {as captured below}.
And um, if you know the dynamics of CJ and Taylor’s relationship … then I need to say this to you right now … “Go ahead and pick your jaw up off your keyboard … this photo is fo’ realz!” And the truth is … it’s a reenactment! I was standing in awe watching the first one that I totally forgot to pick up my camera!
And just like that, Christmas is over. Another year gone by. More presents collected. More shoulda-woulda-coulda’s. But in the end, all that really matters are that more memories were made.
i just might be sitting here with tears in my eyes… that hug? his smile? ok, more than maybe tears :) and ploot?! well, i love that christmas was pure magic in your home this year. mama’s make it special… our job, and we take it seriously. i guess there will be all those woulda-couldas… but pack them away and know that the we are the only ones who think about them. the beauty of the day and the smiles and the laughter and joy… well, that covers it all. love to you! merry christmas… i hope the glow is still lingering!
Wow! What a magical Christmas you all had! LOVE that “Santa” was able to put Ploot back together!!! Happy Holidays!! xoxo
Sweet Christmas blessings! Can’t wait to meet Moxie.
I can’t stop smiling! SO many magical Christmas blessings…those are sure to be amazing memories!
The picture of Taylor and CJ brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful memory to cherish forever! As you know, me and my step-dad had a similar relationship in my teens & I know these type of moments are what carried my mom through.
So happy you had a beautiful & relaxed Christmas. Love you!
Sounds like such fun day! I can’t wait to see pictures of that puppy!
T – I’ve been reading your blog for how long & never commented?? But this I love, love, love – that you had this day of happiness! And the photo of your beautiful mini-me Taylor… priceless! Thanks for sharing & making me (and many others) smile!
ok, FIRST of all, i read this post 3 times because I loved it so much. and, first of all (that’s right, i said first twice on purpose), is there a TREE in your HOUSE?!?!? and second, the look on Taylor’s face. PRICELESS! Love it! The hug — made me cry. last, I’ve always had the same thoughts go through my mind after reading one of your posts and seeing all your pics…….”Just HOW does she do it?!?”. and, I seem to forget that you are even dealing with MS. (sorry, I guess you just lead such a normal, fulfilling life and NEVER complain about it, so I don’t associate it with you much….hope that doesn’t hurt your feelings.). SO, now that I read this, I’m really thinking that and telling you right now: s l o w d o w n. I need to slow down and I’m not dealing with MS and I don’t do half as much as you do on a weekly basis. Ok, now that’s all out….tell me about this room ya’ll are in and these sofa/chairs y’all are sitting on. so cool! I’m so nosy and really want to see your whole house! :) Love you!
hello sweet friend! it sounds like it was a wonderful & happy Christmas at your house this year. such amazing pictures & i cannot wait to see this new puppy.
i LOVE the card! you did such a beautiful job on it! keep your eyes peeled because mine is on the way…double quick asap!
love you tracie!
it sounds like you made some of the most amazing Christmas memories ever! I’m so thankful for a morning of surprises and magic for you and your gorgeous & amazing family! Love you to the moon and back my friend!
those po-jammies are bomb-fabulous!!!! :) where did you locate them? also, santa is VERY talented, seamstressly speaking. :) way to brighten everyone’s Christmas with that one. and reenactment or not, that pic of taylor & CJ is one for the record books! :) merry belated Christmas, my friend. ::hugs::
What a BEAUTIFUL Christmas!! These MEMORIES will live in your heart forever! I love that smile and hug from CJ and those darling pjs!!!
i didn’t know if we’d ever see another incredible heart-touching picture of curt & tay again. the one with her head on his lap (when she was little) is stuck in my head, and now i will file this one next to it. amazingly a great memory for you!! so worth it.
I came across your blog. It occurred to me that there is another way you could multiply this effect. Why not buy your gift cards from the local coffee shop instead of a national chain? When you spend with a family business, you are buying tuition to college, water for them to drink, a stress free month when they do the bills, a bike, food for them to put on the table, their Christmas presents, + heat for their home. You are giving your money directly to people who are trying to make it work on their own and don’t have a board room full of people analyzing the data and pushing the market research.
I can see from your photos that your family is very well off, and from the activities that you do for Christmas that you have money you are exactly who has the power to purchase and make a real difference in a local business. If you get your friends to do the same imagine how you could change lives.
With respect and love,
Shannon Brinkmeyer Johnson
http://www.artsmartcharleston.com
Local business owner!
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