(because do parents ever really get a break?)
Welp, it’s back to Ordinary Time….which means back to
school, which means back to work for the hubby, which means back to mom vs.
four again. Sigh. Here’s to some necessary reminiscing of the
Christmastide.
1
We traveled to New England for Christmas, spending a few
days with my folks and then a few days with the in-law’s. Our kids thoroughly enjoy seeing the
grandparents, and there were beaucoup de
presents to be had. But man, it is a
rough trip. No offense to anyone reading
this that may be from Connecticut, but there is ALWAYS TRAFFIC IN
CONNECTICUT. It normally takes eight
hours to make the drive, but we have learned to add on two extra hours to our
itinerary, because well, four littles, and no matter which route we take, we
always seem to end up in a jam somewhere in Connecticut. At least we can pass the time with the
minivan’s DVD player. Now before you
pass judgment, I usually abide by clear screen time limits, but the screen time
quota was definitely blown on this trip.
Hey, anything to get us through Connecticut.
2
To further complement the too-much-TV-dilemma, the weather
was absolutely crummy. Certainly not a
magical white Christmas this year. It
was too warm for snow, but too drizzly and raw to play outside. My husband came up with a perfect outing: Bowling. We found a place that was actually the same alley
when my husband was a kid….and judging from the outside, I don’t think they
have ever done any renovations since.
But it was so, so fun to introduce our brood to the sport. And the best part was when the man at the
shoe check-in looked at us, four little ones milling around our legs, and
gruffly asked (but smiling all the same), “Ahr all these youhrs? Wha-did-you-do, have ‘em all at once?” Nothing says old school Boston with a sassy
comment and snicker, complete with the notorious accent. It was awesome.
3
We returned home a couple days before New Year’s, which gave
us some relaxing time to unpack and unwind from all the driving. And miracles of miracles, everyone slept in
on January 1st (anything past 7AM counts as sleeping in chez nous). Despite missing the morning Mass for the
Solemnity of Mary, we calmly figured we would just go to an evening Mass. However, as our minivan approached the church that night we were overcome by a sinking feeling: the parking lot was empty. We actually drove to two other parishes and there was no evening Mass at either one. It felt like déjà vu in Connecticut again….driving
but not really getting to our destination.
In any case, even though it was not intentional, Happy New Year’s Whoops
to us. At least I got to meet two other
lovely ladies at Confession a few days later.
4
I’ve been reading so many thoughtful blogs regarding the New
Year and fresh inspirations, and many writers have chosen a word for 2015. I have not really been able to decide on one
word for the year, but some phrases keep coming up in prayer: Peace amidst the chaos. Fear not.
What words inspire you for 2015?
5
Looking at little Joseph sitting on the floor playing with a
rattle, I can’t help but reflect upon Christmas time last year. I was barely into the third trimester, but
already uncomfortably big and quite self-conscious. I was also so mentally scattered and
anxious. I endured the
obvious-but-never-helpful comments about how large I was getting, the raised
eyebrows and I-feel-sorry-for-her looks in the supermarket, and I grumbled incessantly
about the pains of pregnancy all the way up until I went into labor. And
here he is this year, spending his first Christmas with his three crazy
siblings.
Of all my kids, he is the best
imitator of faces. I scrunch up my nose
at him and he returns the goofy look. Then
he raises his eyebrows and turns his mouth into an “O”. It is the Cutest. Face. Ever….as if to say, “Just
laugh, everything is fine, Mom.” Oh sure,
he has caused me the expected sleep deprivation, he has added to an ever more
chaotic experience at meal time, and his cries have rattled me on more than one
occasion, but his smiley face and bubbling laugh also remind me that all is
well, simply because he is here. Peace amidst the chaos. Fear not.
How I wish that was my mantra a year ago, but by God, by His grace, has
helped me to sort through my anxieties.
6
Because we didn’t have Christmas in our house this year (we
were at my parents’ house), we decided to make our own very special Epiphany
celebration with presents. It was a bit
of a spontaneous plan, but it worked out beautifully. We surprised the kids with a few presents
under the tree because 1) we wanted
to remind everyone of the story of the Magi bringing gifts to the Baby Jesus,
and 2) it was so sweet to see our own kids experience the magic of Christmas in
their own home, even if it wasn’t exactly December 25th. That Christmas morning joy is an intimate
moment for families, and I am really glad we decided to preserve it despite all
our travels.
7
Elisabeth: Mom can
you help me with my PJ’s? The zipper is
in traffic.
Me: Oh, um,
OK. What does “traffic” mean?
Elisabeth: “Traffic” means it is stuck and can only move
slowly.
And I half expected her to say her zipper was stuck in Connecticut.
Read more 7QT’s at This Ain't the Lyceum !
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