November 1, 2015:
Since I started homeschooling this year it has really put a damper on me being ready for Christmas. I am always the one in the group who is 99% finished with everything by the time November rolls around. Well this year has been totally different. I no longer have the free time to run to the store without the kids and pick things up. I have to wait until after the kids are in bed to order online and then I have to be quick to hide it when it arrives. Sometimes my kids can be so nosy. Thankfully they have gotten old enough to keep secrets so that I can shop for one of them with the other around. I can already see that this month is going to be a trying and hectic one. That being said I have decided that this months challenge is going to be to have all my Christmas decorations put up and 3/4 of my presents bought and under the tree by the end of the month! It sounds crazy to me! In fact, as the old saying goes, I may have biting off more than I can chew! I guess there is only one way to find out. Lets get this challenge started.
Update:
Sunday November 22, 2015: I am almost all the way through this month and fortunately I have gotten a few things done. I was able to get my tree set up today, but no ornaments or other decorations done. I have almost completed shopping for my girls, but have nothing for my husband. Next week is Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping. I have my list all made and am ready to maybe get all of it taking care of.
Challenge update:
November has come and gone and my challenge was not a success, well I guess it was a partial success. Here is my breakdown of things I actually got accomplished.
1. I did manage to get the inside decorations completely done.
2. I was able to get about 3/4 of my list taking care of (some of them have to wait until December, they are baked goods).
3. I was also able to order part of our Christmas cards and am ready to start sending them out.
4. Almost everything I have bought is wrapped and under the tree (minus the gifts still being shipped and the fact I have ran out of gift bags.)
5. I did get the mailbox decorations and the outdoor star lights on the trellis all put up.
All in all I guess I did pretty good for the month. I still have a few gifts to buy, wrap and bake. I still have a small amount of outside decorating to do (it has been raining here for two days and I have had two sick kiddos to look after). In honesty I have really not been looking forward to Christmas this year. I guess it could be the feeling of being stressed out by all there is to do or the fact that I just feel the loss of my loved ones not with us so keenly this time of year. Maybe it is a combination of both, I don't know. I just know I feel the struggle this year of being in the spirit. I try to remind myself each day what Christmas is all about. Really all that matters is that we remember to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus our Lord.
In the gospel of Luke we can read of what Christmas really is about.
Luke 2:1-20King James Version (KJV)
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
"That's my 'two-cents worth', what's yours?"
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