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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas….
Actually, our house looks like Santa Claus himself decked the halls, hung the stockings with care and painted the walls with Christmas cheer.
My husband said it looks like Rudolf threw up in our house. But whatever, I love it and so do the kids.
And isn’t that part of what makes the Christmas season so magical? For a few short weeks, a wand is waved over the world and we all turn into children again.
For the past four years, since I became a mom, I have sworn that this year I will not stress about presents, having a perfectly decorated house, or making Pinterest worthy sugar cookies.
Sometimes it is incredibly difficult. But with a little effort and an occasional ten second does-this-really-matter pause, I can remind myself that ten, twenty, thirty years from now, I won’t remember the presents, but I will remember the presence.
And so will my kids.
Because in my children’s eyes, any Christmas cookie that they get to help decorate is perfect.
Because in my children’s eyes, the Christmas tree is 30 feet tall and beautiful, even if the ornaments aren’t color-coordinated and there are a few burned out lights.
Because in my children’s eyes, any red light in the sky is Rudolf’s nose.
In my children’s eyes, Thanksgiving marks the flipping of a switch and their world is transformed into a winter wonderland.
And this year, I hope to soak it up and enjoy the presence.
