The Holiday Spirit

It's hard to say "yes" to all the holiday gatherings and festivities when you know you're about to add a new member to your family.  You're so close, the anxiousness of not knowing when (or how) he's going to make his grand entrance is at its height.  So, you say, "maybe" and hope for the best.  You know the holiday spirit will shine on no matter what. 

We might be missing out on a few things - work holiday parties, gatherings with friends, or fun-filled community events, but we are saying yes to time spent at home.  Time spent taking care of colds turned into ear infections (Abby), achy feet and backs (Mommy), last minute cramming for work (Daddy) and of course getting ready for a new little one.  Gazing at the sparkly lights and ornaments on the tree because you convinced your spouse that 5 weeks before Christmas is an appropriate time to put up the tree certainly adds a bit of holiday spirit.  Even if its needles are gone two weeks before Santa's visit.

Sometimes the time spent at home is just what the doctor ordered without the prescription.  With Abby being sick, it gave me an excuse to implement a bit of a transition plan with work.  I'd stay home with her in the morning while Tim took over in the afternoon.  It was wonderful to spend time with her, even though sick, and sending a few emails with her snuggled next to me watching Christmas shows (or Lion King or Polar Express or Lady and the Tramp).   Now, this is the holiday spirit!

And the spirit shines on when Eddie the Elf is the first thing she looks for when rising in the morning or when Santa (yes, SANTA!) calls to check in.  We're all in the holiday spirit - saying yes to what we can and maybe when we need to pause.  Waiting anxiously for our very, very, very special holiday gift.