Christmas day was wonderful! After a rough couple of days, we had a beautiful day together. The boys were so appreciative of their gifts and it was fun spoiling them. It was just what my heart needed.
We went to my parent's for dinner and again, had a great time. We are so blessed to be a part of the Mennear Clan. My parent's house is their home away from home and they love spending time there. Especially with their new puppy, Tank.
I love Christmas. I appreciate our Savior, Jesus Christ, and Heavenly Father for allowing him to come to this earth. We didn't spend as much time speaking of Him this year as I would have liked, but we made it a point to talk to the kids about how his birth and death are the only lasting gifts we will ever receive. And I was proud of us for that. I hope my kids never doubt the testimony of their parents. We love our Savior Jesus Christ. Though Christmas was perfect this year, it rarely is, He is perfect and through him, we get to try again. And I'll be grateful for that forever.
As always, we spent Christmas Eve at the Packards at it was wonderful. I love that the kids get to have dependable traditions that carry us year through year. We played games, ate delicious food, and opened gifts. I love being a part of the Packard family and feel so grateful for how good they are to us.
I declared this Christmas Adam, (The night before Christmas Eve, because Adam came before Eve) a family day. We watched movies, made cookies, played games, and did our Christmas jar. It was good. The boys didn't last too long frosting sugar cookies and I ended up finishing the majority, and Scott ate Tayden's traditional Christmas fish cookie on accident. We lasted most of the day without any major arguments, but we had to take a small break/nap before the evening together.
For our Christmas jar this year, we went to our local grocery store and bought items out of the Miracle Machine. It's a vending machine that offers services and goods for families in need. We bought a ham, some meals for seniors, coloring books, and warm clothes. It was really awesome.
Christmas was hard for me this year. Emotionally hard. My kids argued most days leading up to Christmas. Cache is working through some big feelings as he transitions from a little kid to a big kid. The anticipation was too much for Kyle and he showed his emotions through anger and tantrums. Tayden and Beckett were annoyed with their brothers and less than patient with them and each other. More than once I had to sit everyone down and remind them that we are family, God gave us each other and we need to be kind and respectful to each other.
The hardest part though, was how much I missed my little kids. I missed my babies. The boys are all growing so fast and I yearn for the days when I got to buy toys and break up fights about who was first in line. I missed the days of sugar cookies, and cuddles while we watched Christmas movies. I wanted so badly for my kids to be little. It was hard for me to focus on the good this year, which I hated, but that's real life.
Life is moving at a frightening speed. And while I love the stage we are in and there is so much good, I miss my babies and when life was simple and predictable. Living through those days, I thought they would never end. Now, I look back at them with so much fondness. Those days will always hold a special place in my heart.
The best thing I can do moving forward is learn from this year and appreciate and enjoy my kids now. Because I know in another 10 years, I'll be longing for these days. I don't have any regrets from when my kids were younger and I don't want to have any regrets when they are older. So I will spend time with my kids, enjoy them with they are around, and be the best mom I can be. Everyone always says time is a thief, and it is. But it's also a blessing and a privilege and that it what I want to focus on.
