MC started asking for me to put up the Christmas tree on Halloween this year. Well, it was actually a week before Halloween when she tried on her costume. I’m thinking she was a little confused about the holidays.
But she has been persistent in her desire to celebrate Christmas and for me to bring the Christmas tree up from the basement. Every time we have gone into the PX, we have to look at all the Christmas trees on display.
When Keith deployed, my first instinct was to just forget this holiday. Not that I wanted to forget the birth of Christ, I could ever forget that. But I knew that it was going to be a hard time for me and I wanted to avoid the hurt as much as possible. I would give anything for Keith to be home to celebrate with us or to be with my family during this time. But that just is not a possibility for us right now. So, we will press on.
MC’s excitement over the upcoming holiday season has made it obvious that I cannot avoid or ignore such an important time. I now have a desire to make it as special as I can for them. Yes, their Daddy is away, and we will miss him more than words can ever come close to expressing, but that doesn’t mean that we are doomed to being miserable.
We can still celebrate Christ’s birth. He is the only reason that we are surviving and thriving during this difficult time.
We can still put up and decorate our Christmas tree.
We can still bake cookies.
We can still give presents to our friends and family.
We can still express our love to one another.
Knowing that we would be cooped in during the weekend because of the snow, I planned to put up the tree. I didn’t expect to have a very difficult day on Saturday. So difficult that I almost gave up on the idea completely. I crawled in bed Saturday night as soon as the kids were tucked in. I talked to my friend on the phone. And I rested for a little while.
I rested enough to gain the strength and motivated to tackle that Christmas tree.
I decided that if I didn’t do it right then, that it may never get done.
So, I grabbed the keys to our basement storage room and made my way downstairs.
I had a difficult time at first remembering where we stored it, but I finally found it in the back of the room.
I dug the Christmas tree box out along with several boxes of decorations. It took several trips up and down the stairs, but I finally got everything up and began the dreaded chore.
And you know what….it wasn’t near as bad as I expected it to be.
We bought a pre-lit tree a couple of years ago and I am so thankful for that decision!
I had tree put together, all the branches and limbs arranged just right and the lights on in no less than one hour.
Now, I don’t have decorations on the tree yet. I will get it though, now that the hard part is over.
The girls and I even made some apple-cinnamon homemade ornaments today that should be dried and ready to hang in a couple of days.
Putting up the Christmas tree was not a tackle that I was looking forward to, but it was so worth the work. I wouldn’t trade anything for the girls’ excitement upon waking up to see that tree Sunday morning. And Will has been exceptionally good with it. He hasn’t touched it yet!
To see what other moms are tackling this week, visit Tackle it Tuesday at 5 Minutes for Mom.
Heidi @ Blue Eyed Blessings says
So glad you were able to conquer the dragging of the feet on your tackle. I’m sure that having the Christmas tree up will continue to lighten your spirits a bit…especially when it’s all decked out with ornaments, too. Hope your holidays are still joyful even without all your loved ones with you. Blessings to you and your family!
Alexandra says
Definitely a big tackle! We’ll be doing the same thing in a few days. I hope you & your girls enjoy the holidays together 🙂
Stephanie says
I am glad that you put your tree up. We are planning to do ours this weekend. The girls have been talking about “their” ornaments for several days now. This is the first year that they seem to really remember decorating the tree the year before, and some of the stories that go with the ornaments. There is the Santa that I made in Kindergarten, and the ornaments with their pictures on them from their preschool in the US. There are the twin ornaments and the Christmons from my step-mother. And M’s favorite – the hand-blown glass nativity that we bought in Italy. You are building such special memories with all of the kids. I wish I had the motivation to make ornaments with my girls!
Wendy Darling says
I can’t wait to put ours up this weekend. 🙂
I love making those ornaments. They make the whole room smell so good. 🙂
susieshomemade says
Great tackle! We are doing ours this weekend. My husband allows no Christmas at all until after Thanksgiving:-)
Tammy W says
I don’t look forward to it either…In fact I’ve been letting the kids do all of the decorating the last three years. I just rearrange some ornaments afterwards.
Karen says
Good for you for making your kids Christmas special this year despite their dad’s absence!
Becoming Me says
Very nice!!
Jenna says
Beautiful tree! We put ours up this past weekend, as well. We’ve had snow here for a week, and it seemed like the perfect time! Pictures are in my blog.
I am also an Army wife; my prayers are with you and your kids as your husband is deployed. I hope you can still enjoy the holiday season!
LifeatTheCircus says
This post brought tears to my eyes. I appreciate you and your posts so much. Thanks for the honest glimpse into your world. I admire you for putting your kids wants and desires above your own feelings. Something that is not easy to do. What a loving mother you are. I will be praying for you this holiday season, that the Lord would fill you to overflowing with his joy and peace so that you can pour it out onto your children. God Bless Monica!