How to Survive the Holidays

So I know it has been awhile since I have posted anything. I am stuck in that holiday stress trap. Nothing good comes from being here. Instead of enjoying the holidays, you just get to stress about how to make it perfect.

Creating perfect holidays is a problem area of mine. I am not sure how I developed this fixation with everything being perfect on the holidays but it has spurred some amazing melt downs. I really feel sorry for Coy because he has no recourse for these moments. He has learned to let them go and maybe that is the best thing for him to do.

On December 1, we went to a wrestling match with Brent. The next day I got sick. I fought it all week but Friday I had to go to the doctor. I have a sinus infection. It has been miserable, my head pounds, I am congested and I am exhausted. So I did not get anything done last week. I really mean nothing. I rested all weekend to try and get better. I know if I keep pushing I will just stay sick until after Christmas. It is a couple weeks before Christmas and I just spent an entire weekend at home and did nothing for it.

Monday morning came and I started to panic. When am I going to cook treats for 15 trays, finish shopping, wrap, decorate, work and attend all of the things my kids are in? I have 15 days before Christmas and you really can't count Christmas day or Christmas Eve. Technically I only have 12. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Here it is. I am throwing in the towel. Whatever gets done gets done. It may not be perfect but as Craig told me on Monday, the sun will still come up tomorrow. This is the solution just let it work itself out and enjoy the season.

I hope all of you take a step back and see that Christmas is just a day and the best thing to do is enjoy it. Even if your candy turns out wrong or you get someone the same gift someone else did, enjoy the moments, your friends and family because they are what it is all about.

So Much To Be Thankful For

"The best things in life aren't things!"

I really like the holiday Thanksgiving. It is not so over done and commercialized like the rest. We have always spent it together with family. Sometime during the day (when the turkey coma has set in) I like to contemplate how lucky we truly are and "give thanks".

I have been trying in the last year to develop the attitude of gratitude. I spend just a couple of minutes each day to look at life and appreciate how great it really is. So I make sure during my morning shower, that I just go through a short list of what I am grateful for. It helps me keep a more positive outlook through the day.

Here is my list:

1) My Children and Husband - What can I say! I have a wonderful husband who is kind, caring, loyal and loving. My children are great kids who are polite, caring and honest. You really can not ask for more than that.

2) Family - The love and support of our family gets us through the good and the bad.

3) Friends and Extended Family - We are fortunate to have a lot of friends. A lot of our friends we consider extended family. They are always there for you.

4) My Horses - Our horses bring us a lot of joy. We love working with them. They are also the reason we have so many friends. Competitions have allowed us to meet a lot of really great people all over the state.

5) Music - Music is essential to me. I love all kinds. It helps me when I am happy or sad.

6) Morning Shower - Yes I love to shower. It is my favorite thing in the morning to be able to just relax with the sound of the water. It is also when I go through my appreciation list.

7) Morning Coffee - I love a good cup of coffee. It makes you all warm and wonderful inside especially when your amazing husband puts on the bathroom counter each morning while you take a shower. So it is waiting for you when you get out!

Each day there are always people, events or things added to the list. I know that I am truly blessed.