Friday, December 30, 2011
A Prayer for the New Year
"A Prayer for the New Year (2012)" from Living the Questions from Living the Questions on Vimeo.
Happy New Year!
(This video was brought to my attention by a good friend who makes an appearance and whose daughter starts and ends the film.)
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Christmas 2011
We had a stay at home year, this year. I am at a point where sitting in the car for more than 30 minutes causes fetal rebellion and we are both nervous about getting too far from the hospital. I know that going into labor is not a sudden event and that once you start the process you have time before the baby actually emerges but nonetheless, caution is on my mind.
Christmas Eve was spent with the Farmington family, pageant and all. What a sweet & entertaining family tradition for all the grandkids to dress up and reenact with Gummy and Gumpa providing the reading and music. The commentary from the stable full of small people is hilarious. We were honored to be a part. Especially Elliott who played the wisest and oldest of the wise men.
Christmas morning was just our mini family at home. Sleeping in, lounging, a little gift giving and more lounging. I loved it.
Every year I get sad that my siblings and dad aren't around on Christmas morning. There just isn't a central location for us to congregate where everyone feels comfortable and welcome so we have all started to stay at our own houses which delays the start of the festivities until late in the afternoon. I hate the idea of my family sitting isolated each at their own houses, it doesn't seem like the right way to start the day.
After a very emotional and disappointing Christmas last year trying to schedule events and unsuccessfully rally the family to participate, I made the decision to simplify for the sake of my own sanity (and E's). I wasn't totally successful but it was certainly progress. I decided that all I can do is offer my home and hospitality. Beyond that it quickly becomes futile and frustrating.
I can't force the family to engage nor can I remove the obstacles from their lives that make it problematic to make and keep social commitments. All I can do is withdraw expectations so I am not disappointed and they are not obligated. This approach doesn't solve all of my anxiety about the holidays with a family I feel is lacking glue, but it does offer some relief and progress toward learning to let go a little bit. Good practice for impending motherhood, no?
E and I take turns being Santa and this year (since we officially should have been in Boise) it was his turn. Do you love how the stockings are hung from the TV with care? One day we will get a mantle and fix the tile. Next year... or maybe the year after.
The family belly picture. I wish you could see it better but here we are in all of our Christmas glory.
I HATE this picture but I am posting it for posterity. My butt has been swelling for months so I can accept that but my face just started and I didn't realize it until I looked at these photos. When you are this pregnant it is hard to remember that life or your body was ever any different. Hopefully this photo will act as a reminder of physical challenges I faced at 9 months preggers that will soon be diminished.
I also can't get over that sweet smile on E's face and didn't want it to go to waste.
You may want to take note of one of our great neurosis. Any wrapping paper we buy must fit into the red, silver, black or white category. Not only does it make the tree look fancy, it keeps you from buying those rolls of ribbons with purple and blue on them that never get used. See, I am really just conserving.
Christmas Eve was spent with the Farmington family, pageant and all. What a sweet & entertaining family tradition for all the grandkids to dress up and reenact with Gummy and Gumpa providing the reading and music. The commentary from the stable full of small people is hilarious. We were honored to be a part. Especially Elliott who played the wisest and oldest of the wise men.
Christmas morning was just our mini family at home. Sleeping in, lounging, a little gift giving and more lounging. I loved it.
Every year I get sad that my siblings and dad aren't around on Christmas morning. There just isn't a central location for us to congregate where everyone feels comfortable and welcome so we have all started to stay at our own houses which delays the start of the festivities until late in the afternoon. I hate the idea of my family sitting isolated each at their own houses, it doesn't seem like the right way to start the day.
After a very emotional and disappointing Christmas last year trying to schedule events and unsuccessfully rally the family to participate, I made the decision to simplify for the sake of my own sanity (and E's). I wasn't totally successful but it was certainly progress. I decided that all I can do is offer my home and hospitality. Beyond that it quickly becomes futile and frustrating.
I can't force the family to engage nor can I remove the obstacles from their lives that make it problematic to make and keep social commitments. All I can do is withdraw expectations so I am not disappointed and they are not obligated. This approach doesn't solve all of my anxiety about the holidays with a family I feel is lacking glue, but it does offer some relief and progress toward learning to let go a little bit. Good practice for impending motherhood, no?
E and I take turns being Santa and this year (since we officially should have been in Boise) it was his turn. Do you love how the stockings are hung from the TV with care? One day we will get a mantle and fix the tile. Next year... or maybe the year after.
I HATE this picture but I am posting it for posterity. My butt has been swelling for months so I can accept that but my face just started and I didn't realize it until I looked at these photos. When you are this pregnant it is hard to remember that life or your body was ever any different. Hopefully this photo will act as a reminder of physical challenges I faced at 9 months preggers that will soon be diminished.
I also can't get over that sweet smile on E's face and didn't want it to go to waste.
We had a really great Christmas day. Surrogate sister Amy H joined us for breakfast. We took a long walk with 3 Boston Terriers, a true exercise in patience. Then more eating. Timmy and his lady joined us in the late afternoon for some eating and Heather came for our dinner of French Onion Soup and game time. Dad was not feeling well enough to join us.
Low stress, good people, delicious food and some hearty laughs made for a lovely Christmas.
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