Christmas is Coming

Today I am overwhelmed, and for no reason at all other than I am a woman and women tend to get overwhelmed more easily than men I think.

The kitchen is a mess, the dishwasher needs emptied, clothes need folded, the living room is messy, our bed is unmade, and I yet have unsent Christmas cards needing addresses, etc. I understand that anyone with children would probably think if those were the only things that needed done, they would be in good shape. But for some reason I feel like that should all be kept up since I have nobody to clean up after besides my husband, who actually tends to clean up after me more than I clean up after him.

Umm I think I got on here to write about the past week.

Christmas cards keep coming and it is so exciting! I finally got most of our cards sent out this week! This week's highlights have been getting Christmas decor up (involving a cart-full of purchases from Goodwill), a Young Couples Christmas dinner, Vespers, Christmas caroling, the Champion Christmas party, and going Christmas shopping in Iowa City with my mom. Christmas...Christmas...Christmas...!!

Young Couples Christmas dinner - was beautiful and delicious! 

Working on the Christmas scheme...

Vespers Choir Concert - starring Jonathan and Justin

Please note NO Christmas baking has been done. I am being a culinary Scrooge this year.

My shopping trip was super-successful, as I went from hardly starting my Christmas shopping to being almost finished. And I even got all of my gifts wrapped that night when I got home. It was also a fun day to spend with my mom! Before we went to Iowa City, we drove over to Williamsburg and purchased me some end tables and a coffee table that I found on Craigslist for our living room. The new furniture has been the excitement of my week because it makes the living room much more cozy and inviting! We seem to be spending a lot more time in the living room now (as opposed to the kitchen), probably because there is actually a place to set things now.

This weekend we have a little bit more of Christmas coming up: a school Christmas program tonight, Christmas Caroling on Saturday, and two Sunday School Christmas programs on Sunday. Christmas...Christmas...Christmas...!!

Did somebody say Christmas? Must be around the corner.

Merry Thanksmas!

This title may have been inspired by my creative sister-in-law, but nonetheless, that's how we've been feeling for the last week.

Following a short week at work and home to prepare for the festivities, Wednesday evening was Matt's family Christmas. Twas an enjoyable evening with everyone home! Steve and Julie arrived last Saturday and were here through the week, and Tim and Laurie were here for several days as well. We had supper, exchanged gifts, sang Christmas carols, and enjoyed the company!

Brandon is the "big kid" now! Garret is finally off of his oxygen and is a little easier to maneuver around. 

Opening gifts... 

The grandchildren got kinetic sand from Mom and Dad! It was quite fun!

All the 4-5 year olds with their new flipeez hats! 

Camille enjoyed the infinity scarf I gave her. 

The next morning, Thanksgiving day, we woke up bright and early to head over to Illinois with my family. Due to a misunderstanding about the time of services, we were the second vehicle to pull into church in Peoria. It was fun to welcome everyone to church, though! We ended up slipping into Skylines a bit late for our Thanksgiving meal, but I'm sure glad they still served us because it was a delicious meal! We spent the rest of the day with Grandma and ordered in pizza for supper.

Thanksgiving with Grandma Knobloch 

Friday afternoon was a Lanz gathering at Uncle Troy and Aunt Joni's and it was good to spend some time with the family.

That evening, Matt's parents took the grandkids and younger children to Mt. Pleasant for supper at Pizza Ranch and to see the Festival of Lights at the Old Threshers grounds. That equaled a great opportunity for some adult bonding time! All of the siblings and spouses over age sixteen came over to our place and Tim and Laurie brought pizza. I think everyone enjoyed their evening from all ends!

On Saturday, Matt went over to his parents house again to work on the frames while I stayed home and worked in the kitchen.

The big Schulz Christmas was that evening at Aunt Janette's home. There were probably around sixty people there for supper, and then we sang Christmas songs, opened gifts, and talked.

The kids getting ready to open gifts! 

Kyra got some puppets! 

To end our weekend, we were pleased to serve Steve and Julie their final meal Sunday evening before they headed back to Connecticut that night! It was wonderful to spend some time with them, as it doesn't happen often enough!

Yesterday, I took advantage of Cyber Monday and got some good Christmas gift deals online! Okay, so I actually forgot it was Cyber Monday until I went online to buy something and realized there was an awesome deal on it for Cyber Monday! :) Worked out well for me, anyway.

Until next time...hope you all have a wonderful week! Please work along with me to not lose focus on the meaning for the Christmas season. Things get so busy for me at the end of the year and it is hard for me to keep focused when I can't relax. And as much as holidays are supposed to be relaxing, I've got news for you: Christmas does not fit that mold.

But I've got more news for you: Jesus needs to fit into our schedule. More than just reading the Christmas story at Christmas dinner and going to church for the holiday. He isn't simply the reason for the season: He is the reason for our lives!

Happy December!