Home Sweet Simple Home

Whew!

What a weekend we had!
Saturday morning we had practice at church for our Christmas program which not only included my own young children but also my youth group as the youth had a skit and various other interactive parts that I had to oversee.
We got to church around 9:30 am and left around Noon. Then home to make  cupcakes and last minutes clean up and prep for Maiden's friends party. She invited 7 girls to come over and celebrate her 10th birthday with a Spa party- put on by yours truly. Mr. Steady, Sassafras and Mr. Conductor all disappeared for a few hours. The party was 2 to 5 pm.
By 6:30 pm I had everything cleaned up, put away and my home put back to normal. Then I sat down ready to fall asleep and realized that I hadn't done all my Christmas Cards that needed to be finished to take to church the next morning. Insert big sigh here.
So up off the comfy couch to put together 100+ cards. Had that done within an hour. By that time I realized I never made dinner- checked with the family- no one but Mr. Conductor and I were hungry. Mr. Conductor had a hot dog and I ate some leftovers. By 8 pm I was wiped out tired. The girls were playing computer games with Mr. Steady and Mr. Conductor wanted a Christmas movie. I put it in. I knitted for awhile and at 8:40 I snuck off to bed. Slept like a log.
Realized upon waking Sunday morning that I had not finished putting together and wrapping the presents for the kiddos Sunday School teachers. Ran around doing that as we practiced parts and got dressed and ate breakfast. My Dad called to remind me I needed to bring a couple of extra props and also to make sure I had reprinted a new larger print copy of a Christmas Reading my mother was to do that morning for the program. Ah, nope. Run to the computer, pull it up etc. etc.
Rush out the door and get into the car- wait I forgot the tithe check-- Mr. Steady runs back in and grabs it. Get 1 block away from home- I forgot my coffee and toast on the dining table. Mr. Steady backs the car up and runs back in a second time. Oh thank that Man- cause I desperately needed that coffee!
Get to church- Mr. Steady goes to look after my teens while I do the needed errand running for my Pop. Get caught by a couple of people with questions/comments for me. Solve a minor crisis, tell someone "no can do" and end up shlepping a few pounds of Christmas cards to the card table, get my head bit off by my brother when I ask him a question as youth pastor (he has just taken on the heavy job of church treasurer) and get stopped by the church secretary who requests I open up a gift from her right then and there. The gift is wonderful and touches my heart so much that I begin to cry . . . . Then I look at the time and race to my teens to hustle them up to the church for the program (so much for last minute practice time).
This is when I find out that 2 teens who have speaking parts have not arrived yet and may have been mixed up about the start time. Mr. Conductor and his bosum buddy/best friend/partner in crime/cousin are playing with the microphones and sitting on the alter- to my dismay (and with the okay of their Grampy who is MCing/running the program).
I could go on and on but I think you get the picture. The program went well- with many people laughing at the antics of my son and nephew while I cringed and prayed and went after them at different times. My 2 teens arrived just in time and I managed to get thru it all intact.
I listened to my sil and parents remark that the boys are "only 2 and were just acting like 2 year olds." And swallowed my comments/feelings on that while pasting a smile on my face. I didn't cry from the hurt and stress and such until we got home- Mr. Steady made me eat a lunch I didn't taste and then lovingly tucked me into bed for a much, much MUCH needed nap.
Oh, thank the Lord. I love that man!
Then it was back to church a few hours later for Advent in youth group with my teens- which I enjoyed emensly. My teens showered me with homemade cards, small gifts and many thanks. Oh how I treasure those cards and the words were balm to a battered spirit. I love my teens and am so very thankful for the Lord giving them to me for this time.
And so I share this with you lest you think my Christmas season is all bright and wonderful and everything I want it to be. I think we are all allowed at least one Bah Humbug Day and mine was yesterday. I spent a lot of time in prayer and continue to do so today. I lost the hush of the season yesterday and got caught fast in the mad rush instead.
Today is a get back on track day, a slow down day. We are still doing school today but just slowing it down a bit. We're off to the bank and store in a few minutes and then will make our famous trail mix later and work on a couple of presents. Spend time reading favorite Christmas stories too and just relax.
We'll be attending a Christmas Piano Recital tonight (as many of my teens are involved) but are praying for it to be a joy rather than a burden. We plan on taking a short drive afterwards to look at some Christmas decorations and then back home for cookies and cocoa, snuggles and loving and our Advent story.
Sounds like a much better day to me.