Well, we survived a hot Christmas where the temperature reached around 110 F. I wouldn't really know since we never laid foot outside (the children refused the beach; they wanted to play with all the new toys and I don't really blame them) but my sister gave my husband a new indoor outdoor thermometer so we can see the temperature rise before we head out. We spent most of our Christmas morning face timing with family and opening presents in front of the ipad. YAY for technology!
The tree is now bare underneath which is the saddest sight. It looks so empty without the brightly covered presents. The anticipation and build up of the holiday is amazing and then just like that it is over and we wait a whole 364 days until the next one. For the days following Christmas I feel a little lost. How long after Christmas is it acceptable to keep listening to Pandora Christmas channel, or watching Christmas specials on DVD and Netflix? As you know from previous posts I do love my Christmas, but at what point do you hit the pause button on Christmas until the following November? Most people say New Years, I would normally say longer but this year is slightly different for me. In the states at our previous homes we have snow through march, so as long as its snowing and you can drink hot cocoa to me it's relevant to keep up the holiday cheer. This year was a little bit harder for me to get into the spirit. It could have been the 100 degree temps. It could have been the beach days before and after the big day on the 25th. It could have been the lack of Christmas lights in the town (although the ones we did see were pretty amazing). It could have been the lack of Christmas get togethers and parties; but most likely it was knowing that our family and friends were on the other side of the earth. I went through the motions for the kids, but truly honestly it was hard. Christmas Eve service was amazing, we found a little church since our church didn't do eve service and attended that. It was a good reminder of what Christmas is all about. Addison helped make our annual 'birthday cake for Jesus' as our Christmas day dessert, but this year was just harder than others. It hasn't quite been a week and I look around and i'm feeling anxious to get the house in order and back to its usual look. I usually have to fight with Jerrod to let me keep the tree up a month longer, or to keep my winter dishes out until valentines day; but i'v been slowly already gathering odds and ends to be packed up.
My big job for the holidays is over; giving the kids the best holiday and Christmas season that I could give. As long as it was over the moon fantastic for them then I achieved my parental goal. My daughter told me it was the best Christmas ever, so i'm thinking I achieved that.
Now onto New Years. At the end of this month we are officially a quarter through our time here in Australia. Mind Blown. I don't want to wish it away, we are having a great time discovering this amazing country and are anxious to take our road trip down south at some point in the new year, but I am even more anxious to see my family again. To sit on my moms deck on a warm day and just chat, to snuggle my kitty in bed, to take my dog for a walk on a beautiful fall day in the leaves and of course take the 4 munchkins to our yearly trip to Storyland (maybe more by the time I get home ::winking at sister::)
I'm thinking about it like this. Only one more Christmas apart. Only one more Halloween and Thanksgiving apart. When I think about it like that it makes it easier. Time goes by so fast. I don't want to wish away this once in a life time experience. I just wish I could fly everyone out here so they can experience it with me! Anyways, that is what is on my mind today.
I don't really believe in New Years resolutions as no one really keeps them after February anyways. The gyms will get over crowded for about a month and half and the salad bars won't be able to keep up with demand but by March everyone reverts back to the way they functioned pre new years. But what I will do is hope to achieve some pretty realistic goals. Continue to stay positive on this adventure down under. To try and take advantage of experiences that I feel comfortable doing that I will never be able to do again. Travel and see more of this country. Keep raising my children to be fearless, adventuress and kind hearted human beings.
What are some of the promises you will make to yourself for the New Year?
Talk to you all in January
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