I haven’t decorated my house for Christmas in two years. Suffice to say I am desperately attempting to keep it reigned in. I am a wee bit over excited . . . there are some firsts tonight-the main one being my first normal sized live tree (that I purchased and set up BY MYSELF whilst six months pregnant) and a real live “bull in the china shop” tearing around our living room (I am referring to J. in case that escaped you . . . ). So, I am learning some fun facts and unexpected lessons today.
1. Pine needles ACTUALLY multiply when you aren’t looking.
2. Praise God for my awesome vacuum cleaner. (Not actually a lesson but see #1.)
3. Glass ornaments are beautiful in theory but somewhat problematic when you have the aforementioned bull in china shop. (And Frank the cat).
4. I need a taller tree next time (just have a four and a half footer) . . . or less glass ornaments.
5. I must resign my little OCD heart to having ALL of our glass ornaments on the top 1/3 of the tree . . . which means the top half is REALLY fancy, and the bottom half is looking pretty Becky Home Ecky. (See #s 3 and 4).
6. Note to self . . . remind all members of Sister Ornament Exchange to put a moratorium on glass ornaments until done having babies and toddlers. Call L. and apologize for all the glass ornaments I’ve given her in past 5 years.
7. I actually (mostly) remember who has given me what ornament from the Ornament Exchange and the story behind it.
8. Hanging those ornaments makes me REALLY miss my sweet sisters, sisters -in-law, adopted sister in law, and Aunt J.
9. P. needs to hurry up and come home because I have a sneaking suspicion I am spoiling J. a teeny tiny bit (and by teeny tiny I mean maybe a lot).
10. We have decorations/ornaments purchased from all over the world ~well at least several European countries and various Middle Eastern destinations.
11. All items referred to in #10 are a direct result of Uncle Sam’s paid vacation plans utilized by myself, P. and my adopted sister-in-law M.B. Wheeler.
12. I heart decorating for Christmas. I know that isn’t very old school presbyterian but I have come to terms with it.
13. I heart telling J. why we celebrate Christmas WAY MORE than the decorating . . . and then hearing her re-interpretation of it.
12. Her current rewrite of the lyrics to Jingle Bells
“Jingle bells, jingle bells, all the way through,
Jingle bells, jingle bells . . . What!?!” (High pitched emphasis on the what-I’m pretty sure
that is her replacement for “Hey!”).
Love to all. Take joy in the season and its purpose. I know I will.
~M.
P.S. Yes I got J. a tiny tree for her room. See #9.