These days between Christmas and New Years Day are interesting, aren’t they? You still have Christmas decorations up, the house is a mess (at least parts of mine. I go to my room or the bathroom for sanctuary. They’re probably the only rooms without new toys somewhere.), the schedule is screwed up, the kids have had way too much sugar, and honestly, there isn’t much of a plan.
This can make me crabby.
Like Scrooge crabby.
(me probably thinking about where I’m going to put those toys)
I slowly begin to remove the snowmen, and the window clings, the Christmas dishes, and crumpled paper. The clothes gradually make their way from warm bodies to the dirty basket in the laundry room. Toys begin to migrate from under the tree to their respected homes in various kids rooms. This will go on until the day where I’ve decided that I’ve had enough. Then within hours my home will go from looking like a mild atomic bomb went off to clean. Very clean. At least very clean standards for a family of nine.
I’m kind of like that. I can put up with stuff for a while and then all of a sudden I can’t handle it anymore. It’s a mindset — right?
Kind of like the day I really decide to potty-train my three year old. Or go switch the summer and winter clothes. Or purge the closets of toys. Or clean out the cabinets and fridge. Or clean the truck. Or deal with those over due library books. Or empty the email inbox flooded with 1024 new emails.
I’m thinking today or for sure tomorrow is the day when I reclaim my space. Until then? I’ll live with Legos underfoot, and Woody Dolls in the corner, and a Mario Kart figurine on my computer desk, and the sound of the Wii downstairs. And I won’t be crabby about it. I won’t.
Because I know it’s just a couple of days. And their laughter, their freedom, their is worth more than my need for order. That’s what they’ll remember.
Crabby mom vs cheerful mom who doesn’t mind tripping over a couple dozen new toys.
Today that’s my attitude. And, yes, I’ll still be slowly taking down some of those decorations that were so artfully placed throughout my home weeks ago. And I won’t complain.
12 comments
Thats a great way to think about it. I read another recent post last night but didnt have time to comment. I love how you put the opened gifts back under the tree until they are put up.. Ive never thought of that but it sounds like the perfect idea! Thanks for sharing that bit of information. It might just save my sanity next year
Doesn’t change when they get older! Still stuff lying around. But, now two of my kids are gone – one in law school and one just graduated college a week ago (I have some pics up of it) and will begin grad school. The last one home is a senior. So, to be together for a few days, even with the “stuff” they all hauled in, was enjoyable. Of course, it probably helped that we spent Christmas at my wife’s parents’ home, so the mess was there!
Glad you guys had a good Christmas.
I agree, that it doesn’t matter how old. My end tables are covered with Reese’s peanut butter cup wrappers and Hershey Miniature wrappers, and there is a chocolate orange from someone’s stocking on the island in the kitchen that has become PUBLIC property!
Agh!! I moved my “nest” (couch where my recliner is) so I can watch tv and face away from the disaster area! Ha ha !! I think I will take disaster pictures for my blog for tomorrow! That sounds like a fun time!
Thanks for sharing glad I’m not the only one fighting the crabbies!!
Fa la la la la . . .la la la la!!
We usually don’t take our decorations down until after the first week of January. I did a major cleaning in the play room last night to make some room. Two bags of toys and one of garbage later, the room looks neat and organized. Now if I could say that about the rest of the house. LOL.
I reached my limit already this season- on Monday I suddenly needed to get rid of all the Christmas clutter and get the house clean. The mess was fun while it lasted, but it feels awfully good to have it put away!
I’m so with you….one minute cheerful mom the next not so much. I took my tree done already. Before the kids came along it would stay up until the first of January. I find myself shuffling things form one place to the next trying to get it organized. It’ll get back to normal before we know it…we just need to survive it!
wow. so good. I’m not a mom yet, let alone to 7, but I can see myself in you. Thank you for your encouragement.
Love your attitude! I admire you so much and your handling of life. Very inspiring!
ditto (minus the lego part). hunter got an easel for Christmas (with dry erase markers – yikes!) and our days recently have been filled with drawing/laundry because inevitably he gets the markers on his clothes every single time he uncaps one. i’m trying not to be crabby and am slowly mustering up the courage to clean. : ) cheerfulness is always more fun for everyone! you are RIGHT!
Normally, the Christmas aftermath really gets to me and makes me crabby. But this year, I am simply ignoring it. I know it will get done, one day, in the not too distant future. Until then, there it sits!
Praying hard right now!
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
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I needed to read this..the inbetween is driving me crazy as well. Off to take down one decoration at a time…lol