I didn’t plan to write this post today, but it’s been on my mind, and then I came across this post at Three Pixie Lane today and it just spoke to me. Here are the words I read…
Back to my question- it’s a simple question, really, but the answers aren’t always simple. I asked my kids this question the other day as we drove home from my parents house after Thanksgiving. The answer I got back was “PRESENTS!” Granted my kids are still small and get so excited about Santa, the answer still disappointed me. Not in them, but in me. What was I teaching them if this was the answer?
I then listed all of the things I love about the holidays- baking cookies, giving gifts to all the people we care about who make a difference in our lives, picking out the tree and decorating it, decorating the house, singing Christmas songs, and just spending time with family and friends. They thought for a moment and both told me those were some of their favorite things, too. But clearly, I knew I wasn’t doing my job if that was only an afterthought to them.
So Saturday, while Chris was laying in bed sick, and I was decorating, I made sure to also talk about the spirit of Christmas with the kids. They helped me make an advent calendar I will share later this week. This year the calendar is not about getting treats each day. I have also been making them a big part of the gift-making this year. Sawyer said he wanted to make a tree for his teacher. I saw the idea of making jar “snow globes” over at Sweet Something Designs and let the kids each decorate a mini tree and we put them in the jars with some fake snow. Here are their designs…. And as you can see, I let the kids do what they wanted, so these are very colorful trees. Sawyer loves red, so his is the one on the left. 🙂
They had so much fun with this simple project and are so excited to give them as gifts, and Sawyer loved that he came up with the idea to give trees. Now they have a long list of people they want to make more for.
I felt like that was a step in the right direction.
Along these lines, I have some thoughts to share on my own business, as I have been mulling it all over for the past month, and have been stressing myself out unnecessarily. You all know we moved a month and a half ago into our new home. The move was for a shop I was going to share which fell through. And I have to be honest, I think that may have been the best thing that happened to me. We love it here- it’s a little bit of a slower pace, and I have been reflecting on my life and my family.
Back in our old home, I could crank out the projects. I could still be mom, but it sometimes meant I was stressed out, trying to get it all done. And why did I want to get it all done? So I could make money, so I could be a little more financially comfortable.
Two weeks ago, I was so stressed out. I had been looking for pieces to refinish and coming up empty-handed. I felt like I was shopping on craigslist and wasting time. I told Chris I was getting stumped and burnt out and losing any desire- it was not fun anymore. Creative jobs are fun, and when that excitement is gone, so is the creativity. I didn’t want to lose that creativity, and I knew I needed to just step back. I finally talked to Chris about how I was feeling, and he hugged me. He said “It’s OK. Jutst keep being a great mom and wife- we are fine.” It was exactly what I needed to hear, and I just relaxed and let it go. Next year Emmy heads off to kindergarten and at that time I will have more time to shop for pieces of furniture and work on projects and I am sure I will feel the itch again. But for now, I want to just be mom and wife, and enjoy all the little things that I was missing a little of before.
What does this mean for you? Will there still be furniture projects? Will there still be POWW?? Yes and yes! The blog won’t stop, the party won’t stop- I love that party and all the inspiration you guys bring to it! I will still be sharing projects, and still be working a little, but just at a much slower pace. I will still be sharing all sorts of projects in the new house. I will still have furniture projects to share as I am working on a custom order, and will be redoing pieces for my own house, too. There is still going to be a lot going on here at this ol’ blog. I just wanted to get all of this off my chest and let you all know how I had been feeling.
I have seen all too often over the last year how fragile life is, and how quickly it can be changed dramatically or taken away. I only have one chance to be me, and I want to be the best possible version of myself for my kids.
So next Christmas, when I ask them “What is your favorite thing about Christmas?” the answer won’t be presents. It will be something else that I can only teach them by example.
Thank you all for reading this post- I know it was long, wordy, and only had one picture. As a blog post it is a failure, but the words all come from my heart.
