Christmas Chillin'

This is usually the time during the holiday season that I remember that I need to chill out and remember the wise words of President Monson:

For many people, "overdoing it" is especially common at this time of year. We may take on too much for the time and energy we have...Often our efforts at Christmastime result in feeling stressed out, wrung out, and worn out during a time when instead we should feel the simple joys of commemorating the birth of the Babe in Bethlehem.

Usually, however, the special spirit of the season somehow finds its way into our hearts and into our lives despite the difficulties an distractions which may occupy our time and energy.

I actually really like the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. Usually it doesn't distract me from the real reason for the celebration. But at the peak of the craziness, I'll admit, I sometimes lose sight of what I'm celebrating. This year, Luke helped me slow down by coming down with a bad case of strep. He woke up with a 104 degree fever on Tuesday night and has been on round-the-clock Tylenol ever since.

Now that I'm forced to leave hyper-drive mode and put the errands on hold, I'm enjoying finding other ways to get into the Christmas spirit. Even though I'm sad that Luke feels terrible, there's nothing better than chilling with him on the couch with some pedialyte and chicken nuggets (I'll feed him ANYTHING that he will eat at this point). I've watched the same two Baby Einstein DVD's about 20 times (one of them is starting to skip and unfortunately its the one I like better). He's so out of it, he can even sit still for a little scripture study.

Warning to the family, your packages may not make it on time for Christmas. But you have still been greatly thought about and we've had fun putting your gifts together.

Only the most comfortable clothes for lounging on the couch.

No smiles today...so sad (but he does get little pockets of energy occassionally...like last night when he was rolling all over my bed, laughing, trying to escape me from putting him in his crib. Kids are great).