Panic is starting to set in.
I will be 30 weeks on Thursday and I am feeling extremely overwhelmed.
Titus will be here before we know it and his nursery is nowhere near complete. He literally has nothing but a handful of clothes. I swear I am the
worst procrastinator. It's also Christmas time which means we have parties to attend, a house to decorate and Christmas shopping that has to be done. I sort of feel like I'm drowning when I think of all of it. However, Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year and even though I feel that there are a million things to do I really want to savor and enjoy the reason for the season. I want to slow down. Especially since this last year has been such a whirl wind.
Zack and I had a conversation today when he came home for lunch about what we want to do on Christmas Day. We will be alone on the 25th since we aren't able to travel. I'm partially sad to not be with our families, but I am also pretty excited now that we have planned our day. We have decided that on Christmas Day we will make our plans and goals for 2014. We want to set goals for our marriage, for our child that we are expecting, and for our ministry. I am planning to make some printables for us to fill out that I will hopefully be able to share with you all so you can be intentional about 2014 also.
Anyway, all this talk of setting goals and being intentional about our home got me thinking. I want to go ahead and start. I know we are already 9 days into December, but I wanted to share some things that I am planning on doing from now until the 25th to soak in the rest of the holiday season.
1)
Advent reading plan.
I think it is VERY important to read Scripture throughout this month on the birth of Christ and the true Christmas story. I would encourage you to sit down with your children and read these passages to them before bed each night. I'm sure it would give them precious memories that they will cherish forever. Feel free to save this image, pin it, or share it. I made it for you!
2)
Write an encouraging note.
I'm planning on for the next two weeks writing a handful of encouraging notes to some people that have been a blessing to me and could probably use the encouragement. This could be to your Pastor, a high school student who is serving in your church or the person who cares for your children when you are at work. I wish I could afford to buy a bunch of Christmas gifts for people that I want to encourage, but most of the time words mean so much more.
3)
Reflect on the last year.
You may have had one of the best years of your life or one of your worst. I certainly don't know your story, but I know that this year was really hard for me. Although it was very difficult at times, it was a year where I saw God work in my life in the most tangible way. I don't want to forget that. I am going to write a summary of the last year in my journal along with the best memories that I can think of from each month of this past year. A lot has happened and I want to remember the good times.
This is certainly not your typical drink hot chocolate and go for a drive to see Christmas lights list of things to do. I hope that wasn't what you were expecting. These are just some things that won't cost you any money, but will give you some fulfillment during this season. I would love to hear how it goes if you try these things.
Also, what would you add to this list?
Let's be intentional and purposeful during the next couple of weeks.
Let's slow down.
XO,
Ash
I promise that I am excited for your arrival although I am not quite prepared for you to come just yet. I feel guilty that your nursery looks the way that it does and that we don't have all of the things that you need as of now. It doesn't mean that we aren't excited for you. You will be spoiled rotten I'm sure of it... we've just been procrastinating. Christmas will be good for you this year even though you won't really be here to experience it. Daddy and I have been dreaming about next Christmas when we will have you here with us. We are so unbelievably excited for all the ways that you are going to change our world. Our family will be complete once you are born. God has truly blessed us with you. You are a miracle, little boy and we are already wrecked with our love for you. Only a couple more months of me carrying you in my belly and as badly as I want to fast forward to your birthday I am enjoying this time of bonding for just the two of us. I can't wait to see your eyes and nose and squishy lips. We saw them on an ultrasound a couple of days ago, but its hard to tell much. However, I can see that you are beautiful. I am hoping that you have your daddy's dimples and that your smile lights up every room you enter. We will have to wait and see. Mommy loves you. Counting down the days until I hold you in my arms.
