12 Days of Christmas or bust

Why is it that good intentions sometimes dwindle as schedules get busy, and priorities shift. This year I feel as though my 12 days of Christmas efforts have been a bust this year.  I didn't get my snowballs hung, or sit around the table and watch the kids make snowflakes.  A few of them tried, but their efforts became frustrated and they split.  I chose to be flexible and not let it get to me, too much.  Other activities as well just seemed to dissolve.  We can't even figure out a time when the kids can all gather around to open up the darn notes. 

One activity that did go off without a hitch was the annual Weiss Family Bingo.  The kids look forward to it EVERY year since it's inception 4 years ago.  Me, it gives me anxiety.  I never seem to get the first bingo, and the one person I don't want to get it, does and then takes all the good stuff, or the biggest gifts.  I'm a hot mess the entire night.  I shouldn't be cuz I always leave with such great gifts.  My parents always do a wonderful job coordinating everything.  You can tell they put a lot of effort and love into it.

Just chillin after the controlled chaos.

It was chaos this year too.

Everyone was together when in the past Grandma had the kids in the basement;

While Grandpa entertained the adults upstairs.

This year the main themes were games and books.  

So great.

This was my Mom's home made tree this year.

And by home made I mean she went to her back yard and cut down this beauty.

Pictures don't do it justice.

Can you see it's spiky trunk? 

This is probbly the most unique tree I've ever layed eyes on.  

It's fabulous!

The warm glow of the Christmas Village.

Warm glow of Christmas Lights.

This evening as I prepared to finish my day, I turned all the lights off and just left  the Christmas lights on.  There isn't anything at Christmas time more inviting, more soothing, or more cheerful(to me) then the warm glow of hundreds of tiny lights.  That is the one thing I miss most about the season ending.  

This year I feel a little less organized then I usually am.  I have plenty of time on my hands, and yet I still can't seem to pull it together.  I think it's cuz I have other things occupying my mind.  All of it's good, but it's causing me to be stressed out.  

The last few days I've been a hot mess and I just haven't been myself.  I've noticed that I've snapped more at the children, I have little to no patience for their shenanigans.  They deserve to have a chilled out, relaxed and flexible Mom during Christmas.  I know, I know, that is nigh impossible, or is it.  

Will there ever be a year where I can juggle everything and manage to pull it off with a smile and a happy heart?  Maybe, with some preparation.  

I think what I need to do is to remember that it's the spirit that I'm trying to capture. I need to remember the reason for the season.  It's not about the 12 days of Christmas, although it's fun and my kids look forward to it, or even bingo.  The spirit of Christmas is Christ.  Giving of ourselves to others in service.  

Maybe next year I'll do the 12 Days of Christmas Service.  Now the wheels are turning.  But let's not get them spinning too fast or I'll just fall to pieces.