The Highs and the Lows and the Ho Ho Ho’s!

The Season has been a whirl for me, is it really December  23nd? Wow! I have not blogged since the 9th and yet so much has filled my days since then. For me to sit and put my thoughts down takes a little quiet and definitely time, which I guess there has been shortage of. BUT today I have a smidge of both so here goes…The highs, the lows and the HoHoHo’s of the last few weeks. (this could be a long one…sorry!)

The biggest High of this season is that my sweet son David got engaged to his long time love Morgan. Every time I think about it a smile lights my face and my heart seems to overflow. I teared up when he told about asking Morgans father if he could spend the rest of his life with his daughter. I think Pa Slavens knew this was not an ordinary breakfast, what a great moment in each of these men’s lives. One of the greatest gifts David gave me was to invite me in on the process. He asked me to help him find the ring, and what a day that was! He knew which one it was the moment he saw it, but we had to shop around all day to make sure, going back to look at “the one” 3 times. Him biting his nails, running his hands through his hair…. not worried about his choice of girl or marriage itself, he just wanted to give her the ring of her dreams. He did.

Then came the BIG ASK….He planned it all out. Dinner at the “Pig”, a walk around Park Ave, ending at the little Chapel at our church, which we had all lit up with candles to set the mood. She said “Yes”.  Then they came back to share the good news with her parents only to find us ALL, (and we are a herd when you combine our two families) waiting to CELEBRATE! And boy did we. Grace realizing she now has 3 new sisters (and a few new brothers), aunts/uncles, sisters/brothers, Grandparents, nieces/nephews, and mom/dads blending to create a new tribe that began with these two and the love they share. LOVE and excitement filled the air, and if you were there you could not help but breathe it in, drink it up and smile. What a great way to start a life together.

A Low is that my fresh real tree died. If you knew how much I love real trees you would understand why this is such a LOW. Yes, it is still lit, green and standing but it is dried out and dead. The Grinch would not even take it. Oh well….next!

The biggest HoHoHo for me was our caroling party! What a blast to have some of my favorite people over for chili, then head out into the hood to sing for the neighbors. There is just something magical about standing outside a door singing Away in a Manger and then seeing the faces that open that door. The High was that Scott enjoyed himself as much as the kids and the only Low that night was that Kristin did not make enough cookies!

My word for this season was SIMPLE.  This word was to be the goal, with me checking in daily to make sure my actions matched it. I feel like I did well considering all the extras of an oldest getting engaged. Packages are all wrapped, with ribbons and bows, time with loved ones was time well spent, very few lows. The simplest moments have brightened my December I believe because I was looking….. I saw, felt, tasted, heard and experienced them. Simply Satisfied!

Lastly, the favorite gift for me over this season was recording our Christmas Card CD. It’s the gift that keeps giving…laughter, tears and joy. Each of the kids singing and doing their thing. Michael and Andrew produced and mixed, as well as played and sang. Jackson and Grace threw down a great vocal, as well has the man with the deep voice, David! He stole the show as well as drew the best Christmas picture of the 6 of us ever. I didn’t have to worry about kids smiling, fidgeting, fussing or complaining! If you want to have a look, you can go to Michael’s blog and see the cover and have a listen!   http://www.michaelclaytorandhisfriends.com/

Take aways for the sesaon….Be Simple, Be True to you and how you want your life to look, Time spent with those you love IS the present so don’t waste too much time on wrapping, Sing, eat, pray and dance, There is no perfect, Lay in bed a little longer than you usually would, Let things go, Invite God in daily, Kiss and hug those you love a lot and pray for your childrens future spouses, it really works!

1 more days until Christmas and my heart is settled and ready to celebrate the birth of our savior with the ones I love. Between all the highs, lows and the HoHoHo’s this year, I knew God’s presence in my life was the best present I have ever received. I just have to remember to unwrap it daily….all year long.

Merry Christmas to all……