finding Joy...
It's a busy and hectic time of year. The pressure to create a perfect holiday season, perfect holiday memories, and perfect holiday decor can see overwhelming and often the joy and merriment of what the holidays should be get lost in the process. Sometimes we lose ourselves and sense of what's truly important this time of year. It's not about perfection. It's not about creating the greatest anything, it's about taking time to enjoy all of what the holiday season has to offer... it's about listening to the music... it's about getting your home ready for the season, but not about trying to strive for perfection because that will take the joy out of the very thing that should cause joy. I've recently let my kids help me and while it may not be to my style or to my taste, it's theirs and it makes them happy and proud. In turn that brings me much happiness. We'll bake our gingerbread and our sugar cookies. And some may be lopsided or perhaps even a little browner than they should be, but we'll fix our mistakes with frosting. The frosting will make it all better, and with frosting I say the more the merrier! I've learned something important over the years. It's ok to strive for perfection with some things, but sometimes we just have to let it go. The best memories are made when things don't necessarily go according to plan. Sometimes mistakes end up being our best gifts.
It's a season of giving. I've had a very hard time this year trying to get into the Holiday Spirit and there are days I have been more Grinch-like than jolly. I am the first to admit this. But I have three children and this holiday means so very much to them. I cannot let them down. I cannot disappoint. This season means the world to them and it's what's at the back of their minds all year long. I simply cannot let them down.
Our home is now almost all dressed in her holiday best. I keep the Christmas music on the radio at all times. The advent calendars come out tonight. The eggnog has been bought.
Tomorrow my children have no school. We'll bake and decorate ornaments and no matter how perfect or imperfect they are, we'll create memories... we'll have fun... we'll experience the joy that is meant to be experienced this time of year!
And I want to thank Wenderly's post on Joy... It was exactly what I needed this morning!
I'm headed out now to buy the rest of the ingredients for my fabulous Eggnog Pound Cake, candy canes, hot cocoa, glass ornaments that we will decorate, and whatever else I find that will bring Joy to everyone tomorrow!
XOXO
Jessica