Nov 28 2011

{ on magic }

Crate and Barrel has these adorable itty bitty carafes that come with lids. They displayed them with cream but I use them every morning for syrup. The kids get a kick out of pouring their own. Somehow it makes breakfast a little more fun.

I decided that things needed to be different around here for Christmas. After attempting to go through my Christmas stuff in storage and it feeling anything but joyful, I abandoned it all.

Went to Lowe’s at 8 am Sunday morning. We were the only people in that giant store, which was a good thing considering we were all in our pajamas, and I bought the last fake Spruce tree on display and two real ones planted in pots.

The fake one for the living room; real ones in Caeden’s room and on top of the kitchen island.

Ordered felt garlands from Etsy for the tree in the living room.

Took lots of pictures of the kids in the snow and am printing and mounting them in small sizes and hanging them on the tree with ribbon.

Calling it done.

Wanting to start over by embracing simplicity because I tend to oscillate between challenging myself to be just like I used to be (baking up a storm and decorating all December long …) and wanting to curl up on the sofa and stare at the fire all night (this is the side that is winning).

Feeling tender and quiet and not sure how to do this, but doing my best to look through the kids’ eyes this season.

Hard to miss the magic when I approach it that way.

And who couldn’t use a dose of that?

XOXO.

Posted in Christmas, New Beginnings

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Deanna - November 28, 2011 - 12:37 pm

do it looking thru their eyes and you will make it everytime. Praying blessings for you and yours.

Candyce - November 28, 2011 - 1:16 pm

Bet Dave and Donna are so glad that you are living here now to love and support one another through the holidays.

Laura - November 28, 2011 - 7:25 pm

Ah Val. You just make my heart melt for you and yours.

One request: don’t forget the Elf on a shelf. Please? For this lady with teen-ish kids who are too old for that fun? I just love all your pinterest ideas and SO look forward to seeing him in upcoming photos. i get it if you choose no, but i’m living vicariously thru your elf.

Kaitlyn - November 28, 2011 - 10:02 pm

I found your pink army girls! http://www.etsy.com/listing/86661086/54-tiny-pink-people-worig-boxfrom-100?ref=af_circ_favitem

Hope these make an appearance in your house. You need them since you introduced them!

Lita - November 29, 2011 - 9:02 am

Oh girl, you deserve a heaping helping of magic this season. I hope you get it by the (antique) truck load! if you find you have a surplus, would you mind sending a little my way? = )

Susan Valentin - November 29, 2011 - 2:50 pm

I did that too, my first Christmas in my after…my 2 were young like yours. Same reason, couldn’t look at the old, too many memories attached. We made construction paper chains and cut out red stars and I had the kids stamp them with a silver star in the middle and beaded the edges with glue and the kids dipped them in silver sparkles. We made crayon picture frames and put in pictures from that year….they still talk about that year and we still do crayon picture frames for a childrens tree with crayon coloured glass balls looks like your christmas will be allot of fun with new tradtions

Mirys - November 30, 2011 - 11:49 am

Last Xmas (my first as a widow), I made it simple and short and easy – just a bunch of little lights around the pictures of us 3 (the “survivors”). Just that!

I just read the post I wrote about it and remembered the feelings and the nights fighting against my will to just lay donw and wait for it to pass (and the year to finish)…

But, THIS YEAR, I´m better! And I think I deserve more! And my kids deserve more!!! So… let´s buy red balls, green cards, golden laces and spread it around the house!!!! Just like old times!!!! Because we´ll always have Xmas time while the starts were shinning in the sky (as my Grandmother´s every year card says…)!

Kisses and blessings.
Mirys
http://www.diariodos3mosqueteiros.blogspot.com

PS: I hope you can understand my text because I´m tooooooo emotional right now….

In the Moment | Valerie Koop

{ on magic }