Scenes from the Season {Christmas 2013}

Christmas 2013

Scenes from the Season

{posted extremely late... I've been working on it since Christmas!}

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Overall, I felt like quite the "mom failure" this Christmas/Advent season.  I was in the height of my 1st trimester woes; feeling constantly nauseous with little to no energy... ever.  Most of my free time had to be dedicated to extra sleep... out of pure necessity and survival.  We ate fast food nearly every night and overall, things just generally were not normal in our household.  It was one of "those" seasons of life.  The ones that push me to my limits of sanity and challenge me to look beyond myself.  

Despite being in one of those challenging life stages, we still managed to celebrate the season.  And hopefully we focused on the true reason for the celebration.  It was far from ideal, but as I look through the pictures, I am reminded to focus on the things we DID do rather than lament the things that didn't occur.  Years from now, the kids won't remember how useless and out of sorts I was during the Christmas of 2013... they will just look at these pictures and see that we celebrated a season of our life in the best way that we could.  

So with having far fewer pictures than I normally would, here are a few highlights from the Christmas season in our home.

{Celebrating the Feast of Saint Nicholas}

{shoes filled with goodies}

{Little Nicky, the mission elf, arrived this year}

{checking it out bright & early before school}

{introduction letter from Little Nicky}

{Secret St. Nick basket ready to be delivered}

{candy cane inspired treats for St. Nick basket}

{Secret St. Nick delivery}

{The Adventures of Little Nicky}

{mission: donate hats & gloves to poor}

{just being ornery}

{reading the story of St. Nick to the animals}

{mission:  share the love of christ by delivering hot chocolate to bell ringers}

{uh oh... he left to report to St. Nick that the Holtzman children were not focusing on the reason for the season!}

{he's back!  gather toys to donate to the poor}

{making a mess with marshmallows}

{mission: family fun night... take hot cocoa and go on a light tour; remembering that Christ is the light of the world}

{on our light tour in PJ's and with hot chocolate}

{Household Decor}

{we opted for no flocking (and less mess!) this year}

{dining room buffet}

{dining room table}

{kitchen oven hood}

{Visiting Santa at TWELVE}

{The wants:  Emily (American Girl Doll named Emily}  Noah (Playstation 3)  Molly (Leap Pad)  Abby (Backpack) } 

{Kids with their baby cousin, Alyson} 

{she was initially scared, but got over that fear quickly} 

{this one was never scared} 

{bye bye hugs}

{Gingerbread Houses}

{FROZEN with Friends!}

{Making Reindeer Food for Friends}

{Christmas Eve Mass}

{Christmas Eve New PJ Tradition}

{Food for the Reindeer}

{Stockings were laid...}

{Spoiled by Santa}

{Abby... "backpack"}

{Molly... "Sophia dress & LeapPad}

{Emily..."American Girl Doll named Emily}

{Noah...PlayStation 3}

{Enjoying the Celebrations}

 

 

Perhaps the most special part of this Christmas season was being able to celebrate it with my grandparents; the kids' great grandparents.  My sweet and amazing Granny had to move into a full care facility this Fall due to her progressing Alzheimer's Disease.  Her visit for Christmas was the first time she was able to leave the care home since she had to officially take residence.  My Grandpa was so happy to be able to bring her to Wichita.  It was bittersweet as we knew it would likely be the last time she was able to be with us in our own home surroundings for a holiday.  My grandparents have been a constant part of my life and have been a part of every major event or celebration in my life.  So the thought of them not being able to do that any longer is heartbreaking.  And although the disease resides with my Granny's brain alone, it has affected my Grandpa's just the same. So in the midst of this tough season of their lives, I am so grateful that they were able to enjoy some special time with our family and enjoy the normalcy and excitement that being around 5 small kids at Christmastime brings.  And I'm even more grateful for these special memories that I hope my own kids will one day cherish!