Can I just say......

that as much as I love my precious children, my cup overfloweth right now with quality together family time, and I think it's time for the schools to re-evaluate how long they give the kids for Christmas break. 

Oh don't get all feisty with me and make me feel like I'm the only one who feels like the house is closing in on me....because you know good and well that if you were honest....you are probably feeling the same way.  

And I'm avoiding the kids' rooms like the plague, because their rooms are a constant reminder that they have just been inundated with more "stuff" and that it's time for the annual "post-Christmas purge".  You know....the ole' "get-yourself-a-strong-cup-of-coffee-before-you-cross-the-threshold-of-their-doorframe" purge.  Because you know it's gonna' take more than coffee to recover after you're finished. 

Sigh. 

Then there's the whole "undecorating-the-tree-and-lugging-all-of-the-decorations-that-have-only-been-down-from-the-attic-less-than-a-month-back up-to-the-attic" routine.   And don't get me wrong.  I love, love, LOVE my keepsake ornaments that my kids have made over the years....you couldn't give me a million dollars for them, but the fact is...everyone gets excited about "trimming the tree" but not quite so excited about "un-trimming the tree". 

And did I mention the infamous "box-to-ship-to-St. Louis" that's sitting on the living room floor?    You know....the box with the gifts that no one EVER receives on time?  Sigh.  It's how I roll, unfortunately.  And I try to always tell myself, "It's okay, Leah....everyone loves to get a late gift....it just keeps Christmas going."  But I'm not sure if getting a gift in May can still count as a Christmas package.  :/ 

No....I have never sent a Christmas package in May.....

And ordinarily I would feel extremely guilty about the PILE of Christmas cards sitting un-sent in my kitchen that I "scrambled-to-take-pictures-of-my-kids-for-while-my-daughter-was-home-from-college,-and-braved-the-pouring-rain-to-get-to-Sam's-Club-for-them-to-develop-them-on-their-last-day-of-their-Christmas-card-special.  I mean...come on.....$15 for 100 of them is a good price.  No....I don't send out a hundred, but it's too good to pass up.  Unless of course you never actually send them OUT.....


Sigh.....


And I'm ashamed to tell you how behind I am on my laundry, but just suffice it to say that my husband has had to ask where some clean socks were a time or two, and I would be lying if I said that I had never had to holler from the bathroom for someone to bring me a clean towel out of the dryer...


Yep.  The holidays do it to me every year.  But throw in a sick daughter needing hip surgery the week before Christmas, and you've got yourself a stressful holiday season!!!  


So I guess I'm allowed to be pooped and ready for school to be back in session and things to get back to normal again.....whatever normal is.  


I'm just sayin'. 

I've MISSED you!!!!!

Yep, that's right. 

I said I missed YOU. 

Because I have. 

Things have been a bit rough around here lately, as Karissa has had some medical setbacks, HOWEVER.....things are looking up a bit, and I am READY for the holidays!!!! 

Okay, wait a second. 

Perhaps "ready for the holidays" was a strong statement.   

Because I suppose in order to be ready you have to have all of your shopping done, menus planned, party outfits purchased (who am I kidding?  I'll wear the same "go-to" holiday sweater I have worn for the past 10 years!) 

Stop laughing.....you know you've got one of those stuck down in the archives of your drawer somewhere, afraid to admit you have it, but when in dire need of something festive you drag it out hoping no one will remember that you wore it last year, and that no one at the party will be critical of the fact that holiday sweaters aren't what's in style anymore. 

Okay....so maybe it's just me that does that.  But I'm admitting it.  And I'm happy to report that I have actually upgraded to a more fashionable sweater for the holiday season.  A lot less 80's looking.

But I just can't let go of that holiday sweater for some reason.  Mable gave it to me.....so I guess I'm a little sentimental.  But I guess it shouldn't make me get all sappy......it's not like she put great thought into making a purchase for me....she hated sweaters and didn't want to wear it!!!!!  LOL  You just had to love her.  :-)

Now where was I?

Oh yes.  Ready for the holidays. 

Let me rephrase that by saying.....I am ready for the fun, smiles, laughter, cooler weather, good food, crafts and great picture ops that the holidays bring. 

And I'm hoping to blog more soon.

I'm just sayin'.