Sugarplums and JOY

I try to post uplifting positive encouragements everyday on my Facebook page, which by the way usually has to do with something stirring inside me. Over the years I have had many say “Thanks, for the posts! It was just what I needed!”. But this week I had a few people come up and say with a tight smile, “I am trying to find the JOY!” (I can hear the dammit that follows but  is not spoken). It’s the same frustrated look and tone that David my oldest would give me when I asked him to take out the trash. Wide eyed and gritted teeth smile he responded with, “I’d LOVE to.” (dammit) …..this still puts a smile on my face.

Joy can be hard to find during the holidays, especially when you think you should be dancing with sugar plums but instead find yourself doing all the things of life that don’t stop just because there is a big lit tree in the middle of your house and stockings hung by the chimney with care. Life goes on HoHoHo!

Yesterday, I was in the grocery store with Jackson and Grace, who must have eaten the SUGAR plums I longed to be dancing with. They were bouncing off the wall, well the aisles. I looked at them and said in my mean mother tone, “Why can’t you be more like good grown up kids!” To which Grace replied, “We are kids Mom, not grown ups.” (I think I heard all the fellow shoppers sing in unison, “DUH!” in a very Glee way)

*REALITY CHECK #1 When excitement fills the airs it also fills your children. Relax, it is an exciting time and know that the kids grow up, move out, get married and will not shop with your forever.

Jolly Jackson!

We dropped Jackson off in full Santa garb for a slumber party then Grace and I headed out for a Girls Night. First a holiday movie and then a taco dinner. We decided to eat whatever we wanted since Grace is having her tonsils out Monday! (I had to support her in this as a good mother) There is nothing better than watching a fun Holiday movie with a big bag of popcorn and your favorite little girl beside you. Her Belly laugh could give Santa a run for his money! After the movie we decided to visit my dad who had been moved to rehab after having his hip replaced this past week. Grace inquired if he was at the same rehab as Amy Winehouse….YIKES! I explained the difference.

As we chowed down tacos, chips and cheese queso. Grace shared a story about a boy in her class that was teased because he didn’t have a great voice. She told me she went up to him and said “My mother says, Don’t let anyone steal your joy, so sing loud!” (dammit)

Girl Time

*REALITY CHECK #2 When excitement fills the air allow some inside you too. Life is difficult, full and fast, but slow down. BE with the ones you love so that you can hear their belly laugh, listen to their stories and enjoy the moment that God has blessed you with instead of fretting about the one you are not in. For me, this moment was the wonderful realization that Grace understands the difference between being a child and a grown up, Rehab and JOY. Joy that it is hers and that NO ONE is going to steal or take away!  (dammit…hehehehehe!) Oh and that Jackson makes a pretty good beardless Santa!

So let’s SING LOUD, LOVE BIG, DANCE like we ate the Sugarplums and allow the Excitement to FILL OUR HEARTS….One and ALL!