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This Is the Christmas that Never Ends…

Christy — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 05:33:25 +0000

I have a somewhat crazy family. I’ve got my mom’s side (Think Large, Irish, Catholic, and then Not-so-large, Russian). I’ve got my biological father’s side (ok, not really, but there are a couple of people I keep in touch with). I’ve got my stepfather-who-adopted-me-so-is-actually-my-father’s side. I’ve got my in-laws. And, possibly strangest of all, I’ve got my step-sisters’ biological mother’s side. Can’t keep it straight? No one can. But, it’s my normal, so I can’t imagine anything different.

I love having a large family and do my best to try and keep in touch with even the extended cousins on my mom’s side (thank you, Facebook). But at Christmas, it can be a bit unwieldy. We do our own Christmas at home, and then Christmas with my parents and siblings (plus their husbands & kids), and then extended family. That’s all on Christmas day. My in-laws usually have an extended family Christmas the week before, and then we celebrate with just my husband’s parents and siblings (and their spouses/kids/boyfriends/dogs) sometime within the next few days. We haven’t gotten together much with my dad’s family because it’s simply too large, but we used to have a Christmas with them, too. I typically see my grandmother on my biological father’s side at some point. And then, if we’re able, we join my sisters’ biological mother’s family. Although it sounds complex, I love them just like we were actually related. The end result is often an overabundance of Christmas.

This year, it’s feeling a bit strange. People keep telling me that they hope I had a wonderful Christmas and I reply, “Thanks, we did. But it’s not over yet!”

When I was younger, I loved the never-ending Christmas, but now that I’ve got kids I find it a bit more challenging. First of all, it’s exhausting. But more importantly, it’s hard to explain to little kids that life isn’t just about them receiving presents. Mounds of presents, no less. We’ve talked a lot about giving away old toys to kids that have none, but it turns out that it’s a lot harder to donate toys than one might imagine. We have some options, but it’s just a roadblock we’ve had to get around. Next year, I’m hoping to have the energy and time to help them make gifts for people. That way, they’ll start to learn the joys of giving, and not just receiving. In the meantime, we’ve got a couple of Christmases left to enjoy and I’m trying to give each on the attention and spirit that it deserves. After all, we’re a very lucky family to have so many people who love us, and who we love in return.

Giving Thanks

Christy — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:57:32 +0000

I’m a day late, but that’s ok. I’ve got a lot to be thankful for this year and it has taken me some time to make my list.

1. My family. Everyone says it, but I am very thankful for two beautiful, healthy and intelligent children. I am also thankful for my husband who not only puts up with my moodiness, but my passion for this alternative career path that I’m on. On top of that, I’ve got an amazing extended family who support us in a variety of different ways. I really am very lucky on that front.

2. Me. It may sound silly, but I’m thankful for all of the things that make me who I am. I am thankful to be reasonably healthy and to have been given all the tools I need for a successful and happy life.

3. Barbara Sher. Author Barbara Sher literally changed my life. It is very rare that any sort of self-help, self-improvement, find your passion books do much more than give me something to think about. Reading Barbara’s book Refuse to Choose! was a completely validating experience. I am not someone who thrives in a traditional work environment where you slowly trudge your way up the corporate ladder and spend your entirely life finding your way to the top.

4. Work. I love working. I love what I’m doing, and I love the people who have come into my life. I don’t deal with levels of bureaucracy and I am free to say yes – or no – to the projects that interest me. I’m happy to be recognized for my skill and expertise and, even better, to be paid to do the things I enjoy. Yeah, I’m not rolling in money (yet), but I’m doing pretty well.

5. Pitfalls. I’m so thankful for all of the professional setbacks I came up against this year because they led me to the fantastic place I am today.

6. Positive energy. If you know me, you may not think I’m a positive person. I’m overly practical at times and can tend towards complaining rather than celebrating. For some reason I’m inclined towards bonding over the negative things I have in common with people. Anyway, that’s something I’m working on. The truth is that I don’t internally dwell on the negative as much as it may seem. I am very focused on the positive things in my life and, although I am always prepared for a worse-case scenario, I try to move forward with the best-case scenario in mind. You can see the results of this in my life. I envision the things I want, work toward them and usually obtain them. So, I’m thankful for my inner attitude that helps me define and achieve my goals.

My life isn’t a perfect one, but this has been a really wonderful year overall. Better still, it’s just the beginning.

Happy Thanksgiving to my readers and especially my friends and family.

In Which LadyBug Turns Two

Christy — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:42:20 +0000

LadyBug's Presents From Mom & Dad

LadyBug has turned two and with the new number comes a new attitude. She’s always been sassy, but now she’s she got the confidence of a toddler. Her screams of outrage are morphing into shouts of determination. She and Bug still fight, but they are now just as likely to be in cahoots in some grand adventure. It’s not any less tiring, but secretly I get a kick out of the two of them working together in a mischievous way. It’s funny and cute and gives me hope that they will grow up to adore each other and be best of friends.

We had her birthday party last Saturday. It was a pretty small party, but our family standards. There were 18 of us. A few folks couldn’t make it and then my in-laws apparently decided to ignore our invite list and bring an additional person without letting us know. Yeah, I know. Somehow I’ve come to expect that sort of behavior.

Anyway, it was supposed to be a cookout, but we had to move inside due to rain. Big Guy and I didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye on how much food to make so we were scrambling a bit in the end to make sure there was enough meat cooked. I always overbuy food and he always underestimates how much we need. We’re a match made in heaven!

The little kids had a great time on the porch on the trampoline… the older kids were kind of bored, but that’s a phase we all have to go through in life. Our families, meanwhile, practice a sort of segregated cease-fire. Our parents will talk to each other if left together, but our siblings just seem to ignore each other. They always manage to end up in different rooms and celebrate their own individual parties. If they actually spoke to each other, they might realize that they have some things in common, but I don’t think it’s ever going to happen. Awkward.

No worries, because the birthday girl had a blast. Before we knew it, it was time for cake! For those of you who are new here, Bug has food allergies. Nuts and eggs to be specific. It’s stressful worrying about everything he puts in his mouth, but it’s also just a giant pain in the neck. Every time we get a birthday party invitation, all I can think about is 1) How can I talk to the host about the allergies without seeming rude?, and 2) Damn, I need to bake yet MORE cupcakes. From scratch.

And here I have to thank the lovely people at Divvies, who sent us a dozen chocolate cupcakes, two dozen sugar cookies cookies, a bag of caramel corn and a bar of chocolate, all dairy, egg and nut free and all delicious. Divvies cupcakes arrive nicely packaged with a very generous tub of frosting and some sprinkles. THose who chose to enjoy the chocolate cupcakes had fun piling on the frosting and decorating with sprinkles. Some folks decorated their sugar cookies as well (that chocolate frosting is so yummy)! I’m posting the full review separately, but I need to say that the baked goods don’t suffer a bit from the lack of dairy, eggs and nuts. You wouldn’t know they were allergen free if no one told you. Our guests agreed!

LadyBug also got some lovely gifts. We weren’t sure how she’d do with the gift thing, but on her actual birthday, she ran into the living room and started opening gifts before the rest of us knew what she was doing. I just heard a rustling of paper! At the party, there were mainly gift bags (note to self and future guests – two year olds like to tear off the paper, gift bags aren’t nearly as much fun), but she dove right in. She got some super cute outfits, but screeched at me whenever I tried to hold them up to see how she’d look. The highlight of her day was most definitely a very girly baby carriage and highchair. Complete with baby doll. I knew they were coming, but I wasn’t prepared for her playing with them exclusively for two straight days. I want her to play with blocks, of course, but she likes what she likes.

The party was a success, but I’m a little sad that my baby is now two. Then again, she’s a lot nicer to be around than she was a few months ago. I’m willing to let go of the baby years if it means that we’re all able to enjoy each other a little bit more…