Tis the Season

I am mad about Christmas. It is my favorite time of year. I turn on the Christmas carols as soon as they are on the radio and I love how everyone seems a bit nicer. I am a little sad because normally I do a post showing my decorations, the tree, the Christmas lights on the outside of my house...

But Christmas flew by this year. My house was being repaired for two months and just finished a week before family started coming into town. I don't know where the time went. I feel like quite a few hours of my life have been spent cleaning my house lately. I'm not comfortable unless my house is a certain level of clean. So I have this strange anxious feeling with so many visitors.

Joseph has ten family members visiting. I like his family and they try very hard to keep everything clean. They're very good guests - making sure the dishes are done, using only one towel (which was actually necessary because otherwise they would just go without), keeping track of their cup and using just that one cup.

But my house is still a mess. Boxes, Christmas presents, suitcases, blankets, shoes, random clothing...everywhere. Not their fault, but still making me anxious.

I had the week of Christmas off and I feel like I need a vacation from my vacation. I spent a day helping my sister Danielle move. Another day was spent building one of those tin sheds that have 450 screws (it took a whole day...Joseph's family was wonderful and very helpful). Christmas was kind of a bummer because J had such a bad migraine he threw up twice, so he was miserable in bed all day. I did take a fun day and go shopping with my sister Kristi, and found some smoking awesome deals. And then spent another day doing laundry to wash my new clothes and every towel I own. In between there was a lot of family time. We went on two hikes. Drove all over town.

Today J's brother Robert's baby was blessed at church. They live in Gilbert which is an hour away. J helped with the baby blessing and we almost missed it. We got there with two minutes to spare, and that's because J was speeding a bit. Afterward was a delicious luncheon.

I read an article that defined introverts in an interesting way. It's not that introverts are socially awkward or shy, they just need time by themselves to recharge batteries. Whereas extroverts obtain energy from interacting with others, introverts find that their energy is drained from these interactions. The article can be found here. I liked it. I am an introvert. I took a long nap today because I'm exhausted. Non-stop going and being surrounded by people. People I enjoy and I have fun, but it's draining. I only got up an hour and a half ago, but I'm considering going back to bed. I have to go back to work tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it; I've missed my coworkers and I like my job. There is just still a lot to do. Christmas presents to return/exchange, the shed needs to be anchored, the garage needs to be cleaned out and the shed filled, I have a few Christmas presents to deliver, we have a New Years party to attend...

I am tired.

I'm a little sad because usually J and I try to do something nice for Christmas...adopt a family or make a donation to a charitable company. I feel like this year was such a blur. We didn't have time for that and I feel badly. The season is about Jesus and I feel like I missed out on that. But since I can't change the past, I'll just try to be better in the future. We're going to try to do something monthly. I'm optimistic that it will happen.