Christmas Brain

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I've always loved Christmas. The smells and lights, trying to think of the perfect gift for loved ones, caroling at church, Christmas programs, RED, I just love it all. My family always made it so special for us growing up and I hope I can do the same for my little girl. I have to say that so far, I'm failing miserably. Yes, I have Christmas Brain. I've always heard girls say that they have "pregnant brain" when they are expecting and I have to admit that I had a bit of it myself when I was expecting. I was forgetful and absent minded, maybe even a little air headed at times. But my case of pregnant brain pales in comparison to my case of Christmas Brain this year. There is so much going on and so much to do that I don't even know where I'm supposed to be and what I'm supposed to be doing. There was one night last week that we had a Kindermusik Christmas party, I took dinner to a friend, and I had a meeting at church all between the hours of 5:30 and 7:30.

Commitment Number 1: Christmas Party...we were supposed to bring a wrapped ornament and a finger food. I forgot these details until I went to pick up Elle from Mom on the way to the party. I had a little time to spare, so I thought we could just pick something up on the way. As I drove up to get her, she pulled up her dress in the middle of the yard and used the bathroom. There goes my extra 15 minutes. So we get her changed and in the car and we're on our way. Elle is listening to her Kindermusik CD and we are singing along. Things are going OK. I decide to run into Walmart and get at least an ornament for the ornament swap. We pull into the parking lot and I turn around to tell Elle what we're doing. She's asleep. I pull my sleeping 30 lb girl out of the car and we run into Walmart. I'm thinking I'm crazy by now, but I keep on keeping on. We get our ornament and we're on our way once again. We run into the party, late of course, but Elle wakes up and enjoys singing with her friends. She's a Kindermusik PRO! It was worth it after all. We leave early (before the ornmanet swap) to make it to commitment number 2. Elle is being a trooper! She doesn't complain the first time. I'm so blessed.

Commitment Number 2: Dinner...I love cooking and I love cooking for other people. Some friends of mine just had a beautiful baby boy and our Sunday School class is bringing them dinner. This was so nice when I had Elle, so I'm always happy to do it for others. I cooked the dinner earlier in the day while Elle was at Mom's house. I had Mom take my portion to my girlfriend's house who was helping cook the dinner. Our plan was to meet at their house at 6:30. 6:45...I'm driving around the neighborhood and can't remember which house is theirs. I make a phone call and finally make it to their house. Elle has perked up from her earlier slumber and is in pretty good spirits, so we visit for a few minutes. Seeing that they are all hungry and knowing that Elle hasn't had supper yet, we say our goodbyes and go home. Josh is pulling into the neighborhood at the same time we are. Perfect. He can help get supper together while I get Elle fed and put down for the night. I'm exhausted, but it's been a successful day. I worked half a day at school, got a lot of sewing done, cooked and delivered supper for a friend, and got Elle to at least part of her Christmas party.

Commitment Number 3: Church Meeting...Christmas Brain Strikes Again! I forgot all about this commitment until about 9:30 pm. So the day was semi-successful. Maybe the committee will understand that I missed the first meeting and I'll do my best to make it to the next one.

I think I truly understand the meaning of "hustle and bustle" now. I was looking in the mirror this weekend and I swear I can see physical signs of aging over the last 2-3 weeks that were not there before. I love all of the things that I'm doing and the commitments that I have, but I'm not sure I'm supposed to be doing them ALL AT ONE TIME. Is this Satan's way of getting us to forget the true meaning of Christmas? Does he keep us so busy that we forget to celebrate the Gift of Christ? Well, I'm recognizing this challenge and I'm going to turn this Christmas Season's focus UP. Yes, I'm still going to go through with all of the things I've committed to doing. But I'm not going to stress quite as much about any of them because I'm giving it to God. Deep Breath. Release. I'm going to make time for Elle...real time that just focuses on her. I'm going to talk a lot with her about the true meaning of Christmas. This feels nice. Maybe my Christmas Brain has found some peace. I hope everyone has a MERRY CHRISTMAS!