Wednesday, December 15, 2010

A holiday classic from Joe and a rundown on the goings on around here ...




Things are crazy busy around here.Taylor arrived home from Switzerland Sunday.She will be home until the 29th and then,poor girl will have to schlep back to Europe for the next 4 months,to endure the tortuous life of living abroad.Seriously though,we are so enjoying having her home.

As for me,I started off so strong with getting my cards out and decorating and a jump on some shopping but sadly seem to have come to a screeching halt.Self imposed in many ways.When I become overwhelmed I tend to go into shut down mode and that mode seems to be the one I am currently stuck in.But ... it will all get done.It always does and by the time I sit my weary body down in my seat,at Christmas Eve mass,it will be a done deal and in that amazing way,in that moment,God's grace seems to fill me and the spirit of the season envelopes me and peace,inhabits the otherwise harried space of my being.So that moment is what I am clinging to in this otherwise,saturated,overload moment.

The wee little,second set are anxiously awaiting school to be over on Friday.At least Jake and Joe are.Zoey most likely will be ticked, since she usually throws a mini tantrum each time we leave school.Usually mad because she needed to give out just one more hug,to just one more person!That child craves people.Really and truly craves them!

Jess and Matt are abandoning us,I mean leaving us,on Tuesday to spend Christmas in Chicago.Truth be told I am super excited for them to be spending time with Matt's family.I know Matt's mom and dad miss Matt terribly and I have him all year long.It's only fair to share.And as he and Jess are a package deal,happy to share Jess as well.I will miss them both but am equally and genuinely ecstatic for them to have a white Christmas surrounded by another family who loves them as we do.

Caitlin and Danny and my little Charlotte, will be up for the holidays.Charlotte will be super fun to watch this year, ripping through the packages and soaking in the magic of the season.They will stay for almost a week I think and that will be absolute pure joy.Better than any gift.

I think that covers the basics.All in all,we are trying,trying being the operative word,to be present in the true meaning of the season but man,does that get difficult when life is so absolutely full to the brim with everyday,necessary stuff,not to mention the extra that comes with this time of the year.But try,try we are and ,how about all of you?How are you all faring in the hecticness and chaos of the season??Do share.

19 comments:

Stephanie said...

It all sounds good!! Your kids get out so early! we go until the 23rd, I think that's evil!

Aniela is coming home on the 21st, CANNOT wait to squeeze her!

Enjoy all you family around you!!!

Stephanie said...

I had to go back and listen to Joe! Great job! Wish we could be at his concert!!

Rochelle said...

Great job Joe! So glad Taylor is home for the holidays!
We are fairing pretty well this season, I think b/c I quarantined Alayna for surgery and recovery so we didn't go anywhere making our quiet home a little sweeter.
Hope things taper off and you can truly enjoy the season celebrating our Savior.
Hugs!

The VW's said...

You sound like me....I start out having everything "all together" and then, BAM, I hit a brick wall and don't know how to get around it! Which, of course leaves me scrambling to get everything done! I guess it wouldn't be the holidays if it wasn't crazy, right?! And, I too, am trying my hardest to focus on the true meaning of this season! Hugs!!!

Scrappy quilter said...

Sounds like you'll end up having the perfect Christmas with family surrounding you with lots and lots of love. I haven't done a thing yet other than put up the tree. It will all come together before the special day. Hugs

Lacey said...

How fun to have Taylor home, even only for a bit! You'll have a great holiday! I miss my Zoey squeezes, ya know, when she squeezes and doesn't let go! Nothin like it!

Kristin said...

I got all the Christmas cards out that I had addressess for on last year's list. Just haven't mustered the energy to 'find' all the others...
I, too, found a new RR love... and he has nearly $8000 in his grant fund!
http://reecesrainbow.org/vilis

Tina said...

I'm pretty much in the same situation as you, so much to do and actually not enough time. My Christmas decorations aren't even out as I had the painters at home. Got rid of them now and I hope by this weekend my home will truely be in full Christmas spirit. So happy to hear everything is going well with your family, I hope you really have a wonderful Christmas surrounded by everyone you love so much.

Anonymous said...

Wow Joe that was super!! Now, Great Aunt Bluebelle is a wee bit sad because all of your East Coast relatives cannot be at your concert. I assure you we would all be there to cheer you on. Granma Barb, Poppa, Bluebelle, Aunt Lisa & Uncle David, counsins Michelle & Michael. Have a wonderful concert. We all attend your cousin Michelle's concerts - She plays the .....TUBA!

Wonderful Tayor is home for a few days, especially for Christmas in the Needham house. And super wow that Caitlin, Danny & baby Charlotte will be there for almost a week.

I smiled when you said Miss "Z" will be ticked when school is out for holiday. She is indeed a very "social" butterfly. But she will have her niece, Charlotte to "play" with and give hugs to.

Christmas will come together Heather isn't it amazing how it always does.

Love & hugs to everyone

Bluebelle

PS Jess - Get those woolies out! Chicago will be COLD, COLD,COLD. High of 18 here yesterday in Syracuse (with lots of snow I might add - my area on National TV this am GMA) Mark - 20' (yes feet)! pile up of snow shown at Wegman's here in Fairmount. Heading out to shovel sidewalk now. Got some java in me to warm me up and out to winter wonderland I go) Remember those days Heather & Mark hehe

Googsmom said...

Merry Christmas Heather!!!

GREAT job Joe!!

mandd3 said...

Joe sounds great! Glad your Taylor is enjoying her time in Switzerland. Time in Europe (or anywhere outside the US really) is such a paradigm shifting, opening eyes kind of thing, so glad for her.
I think of you so often at mass now. I first stuck around your blog when your family was finally able to go to church together again. I know that longing, it has been 9 months since we have gone together. One day that immune system will kick in and we can go together again.
And yes, somehow these last two years, the Lord has given me a burst of energy to get it all done on time. Amazing.

Anna said...

Completely comprehend. I feel like Ive been in shut down mode since August.......

blogzilly said...

OK, now I can see the Catholic coming out in you...never noticed this before. You have the guilt thing down PERFECTLY though!

Jess and Matt are abandoning us,I mean leaving us,on Tuesday to spend Christmas in Chicago

I LOVE IT!!!!

:)

Angi said...

Deep breaths, one step at a time, so excited for the kids, yet the first Christmas "ever" that I'm not speaking to half of my family...the kiddos help it not to be a ba humbug kinda time.

Tina said...

WOW!!!! Love the new header with all the different links, you are so clever I would have no idea how to do stuff like that. I want to make a collage of different pictures to put on my header and have no idea how to do that either!! I love it!

Elizabeth said...

I think I'm much the same as you - a bit overwhelmed and going into shutdown mode -- I'm spending an inane amount of time writing when the whole world is revolving around me with a million things to do, but I know it'll all happen and get done and all will be well.

Thanks for your update!

Peter Olson said...

I like what you have done to the place (new look on blog).
Joe, I have never understood what this phrase meant but here it is, "Break a leg!" Good luck on that Saturday performance.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Rochelle said...

Love the new layout! Super cool!!

Mama Mason-Mann said...

Very cute video! I thoroughly enjoyed it! :)