*Parts of this post were either gifted or donated to my family, but the opinions are all my own.*
I say it on a daily basis, but where in the world has the year gone?? Guys, it is December! D-E-C-E-M-B-E-R! So not only is my to-do list ridiculously long just because of life… but now I have to add the holiday festivities and Christmas must-dos… This mama is tired.
I’ve been scurrying around my house like a crazy person. It is our first holiday in the new house. Old Suz would have happily pulled out box after box of holiday decor (because I have way too much of it) and hunted through the house for the perfect place to put each piece. Current Suz is tired, emotionally drained and has thought about possibly skipping the holidays completely.
For some reason this upcoming holiday is hard. I keep looking at my TimeHop app and thinking about where I was a year ago verse now. *Sigh* I just have to keep trusting God and moving ahead. That being said, I have forced myself to take a beat. Step back and be thankful. Lorelei is healthy (relatively) right now. And since we aren’t necessarily promised future Christmases with her, while all I really want to do is take one really, really long nap - I’m decorating. I’m organizing. I’m trying to catch up. I’m wrapping presents (that I purchase online because who has time to shop in a store anymore?!) I’m attempting to make memories and create moments as magical as possible for Lorelei, but more for me, Michael and my friends and family.
I’m forcing myself to remember that traditions are important. New traditions and new mindsets must be made. Old traditions need to be appreciated, embraced and adapted when possible. We’ve gone tree hunting. We’ve hung stockings. Our tree will be decorated tomorrow. We have started watching movies and addressing Christmas cards. We also met the real Santa!
We were blessed to have the opportunity to visit with Santa last month in a germ free setting! Before now, I never really thought about how kids like Lorelei couldn’t go to the traditional “Mall Santa” for pictures. Let’s be real y’all, they are germy and snotty! Not a place for a medically fragile kiddo! I was beyond thrilled when friend and local photographer, Melody Gillikin, opened her house up to us (and many other kids) to meet Santa and have professional pictures taken.
Lorelei was in absolute awe of Santa. She immediately stuck her tongue out to greet him like she does to Olivia, our border collie. It was a lovely morning and lead to outstanding photographs to use on our holiday cards. More of her Santa pictures will be shared as we get closer to Christmas… but for now, you just get my Christmas card teasers.
Does it get much more magical than this image? The real Santa. A beautiful setting. The look of awe, curiosity and excitement from a little girl who’s biggest, lifelong wish is for a cure. At the end of our session, I looked up and even Santa himself was crying. So when I saw these “Merry and Bright Wishes” card option on Tiny Prints, with a touch of gold shimmer, I knew it would be the perfect fit for my family Christmas card this year.
Personalizing and creating your cards with Tiny Prints is a cinch! I loved that I could select things like special edges and even pre-addressed envelopes! Because I don’t have my act together enough to have all of my addresses in one spreadsheet, I went ahead and just had them personalize the envelopes with our return address on the back and a pretty “Please Deliver To” printed on the front.
So over this coming weekend, I am going to take some time while Lorelei naps to sit down and address our cards. Out of all the years, these may be my favorite because of the very special picture on the front.
And just like that, this grinch’s heart grew three sizes… I’m trying y’all. I’m trying. Merry Almost-Christmas!
