Overloaded Christmas

Many of us are guilty of overloading our kids with Christmas presents. The money that goes out the window can be overwhelming once tallied up. I want to change it but I knew I couldn't do it "cold turkey" so I started small.

I didn't encourage lists to Santa. Instead I listened when they said they "wanted" something. I made notes and did research. The first step in getting Christmas "un"overloaded was to ONLY buy things they would use. As cute as those ZhuZhu pets are, and as many times as I heard "I want one", I knew it would be played with for 30 minutes and never touched again. Out also went the big shopping trip Chris and I would do that would yield 90% of the gifts in one night. Those tended to be impulse buys and many rarely got touched.

So I got myself a membership to Amazon Prime (honestly one of the best purchases I've made all year!). When the kids would go to bed I would research and shop. They love crafts so 3 got Shrinky Dinks. They love playing outside so all 4 got roller blades. We love playing games so all 5 (including Chris) each got a game. Work boots, color your own unbrellas, mp3 speakers, clothes and many more practical things made their way under our tree. Their stockings were filled with inexpensive "fun" items (like the funny head that grows grass hair...$1 at Michaels) plus stuff that I would have bought anyway (stretchy gloves, hats, toothbrushes).

As I put stuff away after the kids went back to school I realized how successful we were. Only one item hadn't been opened and that was because he needed help with the directions and we thought it would be nice to do on a snow day.

So we are partly "unloaded". Next year we want to focus on the extended family. We got sucked into the $100 grab again this year where we pull a name and spent $100 on that person. Everyone puts together a wish list and sends it out. We always struggle to put things on our wish list. We have always been fortunate enough that if we need something we just go out and buy it so our lists are usually very short and on occassion contain random items just so we have a list. And the lists we get usually aren't all that different. Many are just wish lists for gift cards. Yes, we are free to buy what we want and ignore the list but rarely does that happen.

So I have made a decision.....If I do opt to do the grab next year my wish list will contain things like "vaccines for 10 children", a "flock of chickens", a donation to XYZ charity etc. I think it might be worth the $100 I'd have to spend on a relative just to be able to send out my email that sends a different message than "I want". I may also decide not to participate but will try and find a way to show people that there are so many better options for their $100!

I think that will also be my focus next year with my kids. Moving things away from "them" and turning it to "others". A flock of chickens for one, honey bees for the next, dairy animals for the 3rd and maybe even a fishing boat for the 4th. And maybe if I'm lucky I will get the same gifts given in my name in return.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

The ritual rarely changes in our house.

The tree goes up within days after Thanksgiving. The decorations go up within minutes of the tree being declared "stable" and we only use white lights.

I love my tree. Each ornament has some meaning behind it.

36 Christmas's ago my mother started a rather "short" tradition. She would hand paint ceramic ornaments and sign each "Love Mommy" with the year. I have all 6 of the ornaments she made me. Some are starting to show their age but each year they find their branch at the top of the tree (out of reach from little hands).

This is a tradition that I continued. Each year for the past 11 years my kids have all gotten personalized ornaments handmade by me. And each year I carefully unwrap each ornament and separate them into their own piles so they each put up their own ornament. They are extra careful with these and never has one been broken. Sure, ornaments have been broken but never the "special" ones.

This year it was interesting to hear the kids. The boys showed the girls the ornaments they got "before they were alive" (quoted from our 10 year old). The girls asked about my old ornaments and about all the other ornaments that were put at the top of the tree (still considered the "safe" spot even though our oldest is taller than I am). E. even asked if she could have two specific ornaments that were my grandmothers when she grew up and when I told her yes she quickly got a pen and paper and made me sign a "contract".

It was a great way to start the Christmas season.

As for the white lights...well, its all I like and I won't apologize for it! Colored lights and tinsel have no place here. White with plenty of sentimental ornaments are welcome!

Perspective

(my feelings after hearing someone speak of another family that was "worse off" than her family, our family etc.)

There is always going to be someone that is "worse off than you".

I know I've said that before.

But what does it mean exactly?

Does it mean that we aren't supposed to "feel bad" for a situation we might find ourselves in?

Does it give us a different perspective on various things?

In the past 12 1/2 years we have dealt with 3 premature births (all 30 weeks), my mother with breast cancer, my cousin with breast cancer, my grandmother in law with breast cancer, my father with colon cancer and a surgery not what we expected, 5 + years and counting of chronic migraines for a child that just turned 10, surgery for Chris that ended up infected requiring disability leave, cellulitis more times than I care to count, 4 surgeries for me, doing CPR on our bedroom floor on our 10 week old daughter, months in the hospital, a Nana with dementia who no longer knows us and can't care for herself in anyway, the death of my Papa, life threatening allergic reactions, various medical issues for Chris PLUS all the "normal" medical stuff that comes with 4 kids.

I've got the right perspective. I don't need to switch places with someone who is "worse off than me". I know how fragile life is. I know what it is like to have a child in pain. I vividly remember finding my daughter grey and limp in her crib. I remember, like it was yesterday, being told they didnt' think L. would make it through the day. I can remember making the phone calls to family.

I feel for those that are "worse off". I really do.

I am thankful all of my children, under their own power, will get up in the morning. I really am.

And if you find a new perspective by looking at someone who is "worse off than you" I'm happy for you. I really am.

But please understand that our life hasn't been easy. I don't need to walk in someone elses shoes who are "worse off" than us because I get it. All of those emotions of the past 12 1/2 years are still here. Still present and still as raw as they were on those days. Please understand that I am not complaining because I wouldn't trade my kids or my family for the world. Please realize that you don't fully know our "perspective on life" because you weren't here when the bulk of it happened. And by that I mean physically here, in our home, by our sides. You knew of the happenings here with conversations over the phone.

I would change very little in my life. All the things we have gone through have changed us as people. Changed us as husband and wife, as mother and father and as friends. They have made us better and for that I will forever be thankful.

Where is God?

I was asked what my relationship with God was in a previous post. Its not a question I've been asked before. I'm finally putting my answer into words. To anyone that reads here: this is not a post to be debated. These are my personal beliefs and in no particular order.



I was raised Catholic.



I believe in God.



I am no longer a Catholic. This was an informed choice I made as an adult.



I don't have an opinion that one religion is better than another.



I pray. Every day.



I believe the ultimate destiny of an individual is set before they step foot on this earth regardless of how they believe they got here.

I don't rely on God to direct me every day because I feel his "answers" to my prayers and believe he has forseen my future and has already put me in that right direction.

I believe my god is open minded, accepts people for what and who they are.

I believe my god offers forgivness with no strings attached.

I do not feel the need to gather with a congregation.

I have never, and never will, believe that my beliefs are the "only way". That "my way" is the only way to heaven or that someone elses beliefs are any less than mine.

Simple Things

4 sick kids

no overlapping days

over the course of 3 weeks

14 school days in session, total of 12 missed between the 4.

movies, games, chitter chatter, homework, hot cocoa.

Simple things to fill the days.

Simple things that we tend to overlook on busy days.

I hate having my kids sick but I realized how I LOVE the simple things we do together when they are. I am back down to 1 mug in the morning....simple but not as fun as two.

“Anxiety is the space between the "now" and the "then." (Richard Abell)

I realized when I started this blog that in order to "realize ME" I needed to be honest with myself. To, many times over, scrutinize myself. The good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between.

September 1st started a new chapter. A chapter that didn't have kids underfoot for about 1/2 of their waking day. It was strange to have the house to myself. What do I do? Where do I go? Maybe a 5th? Should I volunteer? Should I get a job? What should I do?

Over and over and over those types of questions went through my head. I couldn't deal with any of it. For 5 weeks I stayed home, sleeping, lying on the couch, watching tv, occasionally cleaning, searching the web, reading, folding laundry, procrastinating, panicking.

Panicking because as those 5 weeks came to an end my anxiety was back full force. With that came depression and with that came a never ending nightmare in my head.

I couldn't do this again. I didn't want to do this again. I knew this routine. I'd done it before and I never ever wanted to do it again. I felt like I again was losing at this game of life.

Five years ago I went through a bout of anxiety and depression that changed me. It got to the point that I couldn't hide it. It came to the point where I couldn't fudge another excuse for why it took me 2 hours to go to a store that should have only taken me 45 at most. The reality was that it would take me 15 minutes to drive to the store (all the while thinking about who I would see, how much I would spend, if they'd have what I needed) then another 30-40 minutes to actually get out of the car followed up by an hour slowly walking through the store, forgetting what I needed and checking out. Going home was the easy part. You can only make up excuses for so long.

Slowly my husband started saying stuff. Slowly he made me aware that he was aware of what was going on and that I needed help.

He called the doctor. He set up the appointment and for once in almost 6 months I was relieved. Relieved that I was going to get help. I spent the next 9 months seeing a therapist once a week to talk about my internal mind jamming nightmares. I medicated daily for almost 2 years. I learned to cope and understood the changes that brought me there. I told almost no one until after those first 2 years.

Fast forward to September 1st. A chapter I wasn't ready for. A chapter I wasn't ready to figure out how to cope with. I spiraled down faster than I had before.

I had anxiety attack after anxiety attack every day. It didn't matter what I was doing. I stayed home A LOT. I was short tempered. I had no energy. I'd freak out at the simplest things.

Then we went on vacation. We stayed in two rooms (not by choice but due to a cancellation of the adults staying in the 2nd room that wasn't adjoining to the first). I spent many nights thinking. Many early mornings staring at the ocean acknowledging to myself the demons lurking in my head. I finally "got it". For 12 years there has been no "I". Even when I got sick and had to be hospitalized or put on bed rest etc., there was always the worry about them. Now they were older. They went off to school and they didn't need me like they used to. Even our oldest was having a great year and didn't need me to keep on him about homework and tasks around the house. R. had learned how to deal with his Migraines more by himself. He could find his medication, get in the shower, cover the window, wrap the toilet in a towel and wasn't asking me to lay with him as often. Our mornings were no longer chaotic rushes. I had spent the first 2 weeks of school working on the "little details" and also paying better attention to the clock to avoid the chaos but that also meant that they were doing what they were supposed to be doing all along instead of me scrambling to do it for them. It left me feeling like *I* wasn't doing enough. It made me feel like I wasn't needed.

When we got home it was a rough week. Lots of tears when everyone was gone. I started telling Chris that I needed to take time right now to make things about ME. I needed to do a lot of sole searching. I needed to go to bed at a decent hour. I needed help during the times that were going to be chaos despite trying to get them to be the opposite. I needed to learn to say no and stick to my guns. I needed to cherish the times the kids did need me and learn to enjoy the late afternoon (my least favorite time of the day).

So I made changes. Some so small that only I could see, some so large that they surprised people (what do you mean R. isn't playing travel basketball? and the simple reply: I'm not superwoman. I can't do 4 practices and 3 games a week plus 2 days of dance. I can't and I won't and don't ask me again). I'm taking the time in the morning to face my demons. To realize that I don't always have to be on the go. To find people that I enjoy being with that don't run in the same scenes that I do. To accept the fact that my kids are growing up to be wonderful caring responsible human beings that I had a hand in molding and I will continue to help mold. To be ok with the "now" and the "then".

Things aren't perfect. I have continued to have the occasional anxiety attack. I have however made a promise to myself. If it continues, if it gets worse, if the floor starts to drop that I won't be to proud to ask for help but instead be proud that I have come so far that I can ask for help.

7 days, 4 countries, 4 flights, 4 kids, an ocean full of fun

Months ago we started talking about taking the kids on a cruise. We asked my in laws to join us and we booked ourselves on the Carnival Legend.

After months of anticipation by the kids the day finally came. There was a bit of sadness because our in laws had to back out but overall they were psyched.

We flew first to Tampa and spent the night before boarding the Carnival Legend. We had a fantastic time and toured parts of Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize and Isle of Roatan Honduras. Cruises are one vacation that truly pulls us together as a family. Excursions are usually booked before we get on the ship so we already know what we are doing each port day (but are also easily changed if we change our minds). No thinking about meals, cleaning your room, finding something to do or wondering if everyone is enjoying themselves. There is always things for the kids to do if you want some time alone and you don't have to worry about being home in time for the babysitter. For us it is a perfect way to vacation.

Now, I must say, I didn't always feel this way about cruising. Years ago on our first cruise I didn't "get it". Didn't get what was so great about being "stuck" on a ship. I didn't get the whole relaxing thing. Our favorite vacation up to that point was Disney World. Definitely not a vacation that I would call overly relaxing.

The weather was fantastic, the seas smooth, the ship gorgeous and the itinerary amazing. Would do it again in a heart beat. Even though Chris and I split up at night between the two rooms it was fantastic. To see the boys independence was awesome. A. came and went all day. He loved ordering his Soda from the bar or running up to the buffet. He seemed so grown up. There is no question he is almost a teenager! R. showed us a side we rarely get to see. He didn't need us, or want us, as much as he usually does. He liked going off with Andrew and thought it was "way cool" when we gave him permission to check himself in and out of the kids club. When he was with us he liked talking and was relaxed in doing so. The girls were their typical running, playing, being cute, having fun, trying new things selves but surprisingly they almost always got along. Definitely fun to see that!

I'll add pictures when I can...right now blogger doesn't want to cooperate at all!