Hey, sweet friends!
I didn’t anticipate writing another email this week, but I just reflected on so much throughout my day yesterday, and I just thought I’d share with you what was on my heart. This week has just felt so peaceful to me, and it’s ironic because if you were a fly on my wall, you would think it was anything but peaceful. It was messy. It was chaotic. It was busy. It was loud.
The peace and the joy I felt was felt was in my heart… not in our situations or circumstances. There are so many things I’ve said, “No” to over the years because I knew it would add on extra stress, and I couldn’t handle it. I would get so frustrated by the noise and the clutter and the mess… But I feel like I’m growing (and maybe maturing a little bit… hehe) and learning to find little pockets of time to rest. I’m learning to be okay with a little mess here and there because I know that it will eventually get put back in order again. I’m learning to give myself rest and grace. I need those things. I’m learning to appreciate little moments and to notice and be grateful for the little things. I’m learning to accommodate for the needs of others in my family and around me, because when I take care of me - I’m able to do that. I’m able to be the “Yes mom” who schedules play dates because I know they need fun time with their friends. I’m able to accept help and not feel guilty for it. It’s a beautiful thing.
So here’s a little recap of our week so far… I wanted to share details with you so you can see the ins and outs of it all - How it could seem stressful and overwhelming, but somehow it just wasn’t. It was peaceful, and there was joy.
We came home from out of town Sunday evening, and we were tired. We put away the priority things - the food we’d brought home from my meal preps, the toiletries we needed, but for the most part - we left everything still packed. My kids got into their new gifts they had received, and they were strewn all across the house, along with the packaging they came in. The house was a total mess, and usually this kind of thing really gets to me, but I knew I’d get to it… eventually.
Monday morning, I cleaned up a few things. I cleaned the kitchen really good, and then I got to baking. I had planned to make lots and lots of homemade cinnamon rolls to give as Christmas gifts, and I wanted to get them done so we could give them out so this took priority. My kids volunteered to help at random times throughout the process. I made them wash their hands, of course, but they love kneading the fresh dough. I appreciated the help this time, especially, since it’s my first time making it without my mixer that bit the dust almost two years ago. (Yes, that’s how long it’s been since I’ve ground wheat and made fresh dough.) The kids just played all morning in between helping me, and then Papa came and took the older three to their house while the toddler napped. I finished the 8 pans of cinnamon rolls and watched a couple episodes of my show and rested in between. It was nice and needed.
Justin and the kids came home, and I finished the day by doing some laundry while I watched another episode. My husband cleaned up the kitchen for me (it was a BIG JOB!) and fixed the kids supper. They started playing board games, and I sat at the table with them while I ate my supper. Lyndon, the toddler, and I cheered them on with each turn. He’s at such a cute stage where he’s starting to say everyone’s names and put words together “Good job, Aw-son!” or “Good job, Ginkin!” It’s the cutest! I cleaned up a little more, and we went to bed.
Tuesday morning, I slept in because I woke up during the night and couldn’t go back to sleep right away. I did my quiet time at the sticky table, which I just covered with a dish towel for the moment, while my toddler ate cereal beside me. I needed to go to the store for some vanilla for the icing on the cinnamon rolls, and I decided to make it our weekly trip so I could avoid the stores later in the week as things got busier. (I try to avoid big crowds and hustle and bustle whenever I can. Sometimes this takes planning ahead.)
I let the kids know about my plans, and we got ready quickly. I let the toddler wear his pajamas, and I dropped the kids off with my husband at work. He’s so helpful to me by offering this! They play in the play area and watch a little screen time so I can get the shopping done without all the extra requests. I ran the groceries home, whipped up the icing, spilled the rest of the vanilla I just bought all over the counter, and then deliver the cinnamon rolls to Justin at work and pick up the kids.
When we came home, I put away the rest of the groceries and let the kids get some of the Rotisserie chicken and fresh fruit from the fridge. Then, I got to cleaning up and doing more laundry. The boys had been asking me for a play date, so I had arranged this for the afternoon. I offered the mama either coffee and conversation or a kid-free afternoon. She had an event to host so she took me up on the opportunity to be kid-free for a bit, which I totally get! We all know the chance to clean without kids making messes in your tracks is a treat in itself! Most of our kids are older now, so play dates are so much easier than they used to be. They entertain each other now so it’s really easy peasy! I mixed up some packets of lemonade, but that was basically all they needed from me. They made a war zone using all the toys in the backyard and played with nerf guns and bow and arrow sets (not real arrows).
Layten and I folded and put away laundry together. She hangs shirts on hangers and has been folding the small towels for me. She loves this job, and I’m always surprised by the fact that I have someone that actually wants to help me with this. She even wanted to try and practice folding a big towel this time! We got most of it folded and put away by the time the friends got picked up and Daddy got home. I had the boys get showered and dressed in long pants and long sleeves. One came out in pants that were completely wrinkled, but I allowed it and let it slide without a word because he’d done exactly what I asked without any push-back. I mixed up some hot chocolate (and chocolate milk for those that don’t like hot chocolate) in our travel mugs, grabbed the mini marshmallows, and we loaded up in the car to go see some more Christmas lights.
It has been a beautiful beginning to our week, and I hope it continues to be this pleasant. I’m enjoying this holiday season more than usual. I feel so stress-free, knowing that we had a Christmas budget / Sinking Fund so I was able to finish all of that early on this time, instead of having to wait for another pay check to “cash flow” it in somehow. It’s been nice. I’ve wrapped gifts as they’ve come in and I found the time. We decorated early, very simply, but I’ve loved it! The fresh garland I bought is looking a little limp now, and half of the lights on the pre-lit Christmas tree have stopped working. I’m not going to let those things stress me. It’s okay. It’s fine. Really.
The peace and the joy starts with me. It starts in my heart, and it overflows to everyone in my home and around me. You’ve probably heard that mamas are the thermostat of the home. We set the temperature. If mama’s hot, everyone’s hot and on edge. But if mama’s cool and collected, everyone else is feeling smooth too.
Alright, so mamas… this challenge is for you. Start your day today with a little quiet time with Jesus. Start it with the Word. Start your day with prayer and gratitude. Smile at your children and your husband as you greet them this morning. Give them hugs and kisses and tickles. Serve them well. And let the peace and the joy begin with you.
Let there be peace on Earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now
With ev’ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on Earth
And let it begin with me
Cranberry Christmas Cake
This is my FAVORITE Christmas recipe, and I make it every year. You can best believe that I will be making it again, and we will have it for breakfast on Christmas morning. (We’re having the homemade Cinnamon Rolls for our Christmas Eve brunch this year.) That is, if I can find some fresh cranberries…. Walmart, sadly, didn’t have them when I made my grocery run yesterday. I’ve got to go out for more vanilla anyway so I’ll try a different store and hopefully find some!
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I hope you all feel blessed and loved. I hope you are at peace and have joy in your hearts. Love you guys! I’m so glad you’re here! Merry Christmas!