we got our Christmas tree…

Just about every year since I’ve been married, I’ve excitedly decorated for Christmas in the days that follow Thanksgiving. Our family tradition has been to go cut down our tree on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

But we didn’t go this year.

I was feeling overwhelmed with my house. Too much clutter. Too much laundry. Too much chaos. I needed to wait.

So I de-cluttered. I cleaned. The kids cleaned. I caught up on laundry. I filled bags for Goodwill.

The house was ready for decorating. I was not.

I want more for my family this Christmas. Not more stuff. More Christmas. More meaning. More time. More slowness.  More focusing on others. I am way too easily distracted by a box of vintage ornaments or an easy diy project.

I’m also struggling with the fact that days after Christmas is Little One’s surgery…but that is a whole different post.

Christmas is coming and we are beginning to celebrate.

As I write this, I can see our crooked, patchy Christmas tree across from me. It is still waiting to be decorated, but it stands proudly. The trunk already has gifts from the kids piling up – drawings for each other, so sweet.

Christmas is coming.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices….a thrill of hope….a thrill of hope….

Welcoming Christmas by finding our tree.

Every year I attempt a shot of the tractor ride in hopes of getting one with everyone looking and smiling. It still hasn’t happened.

Not even 1 out of 5 this year.

And the annual picture by the tree.

Every year I want a white tree, but I can’t give up our tree hunting tradition. On the way home from the tree farm, I asked the kids if they cared if I spray painted the tree white this year. I thought it was a good way to meet in the middle, I was serious. I’d get my white tree and still get to keep our tradition. Cries of revolt raised from the back of the mini van. “Don’t paint the tree! Don’t paint the tree! Don’t paint the tree!” Evidently spray painting the Christmas tree is not going to fly in this house.