Let it Snow, Let is Snow, Let it....wait, its 50 degrees!

I know that this late butI felt the need to share anyway.

I have to say that this past Christmas has to have been the warmest I remember! I am sure in places such as California and Latin America, warmer temperatures are not anything out of the ordinary. But when I can wear winter shorts  and a long sleeved shirt on Christmas day in Northern Virginia, I am concerned. Not "global warming is taking over" concerned but just a little put off.

I wondered if that is the reason that the Christmas spirit was not in full force. Last winter, we were graced with white blankets covering the outdoors which made for fun outside and coziness indoors. I know that Christmas spirit is not a just-add-snow type of recipe  but I did miss it. That wasn't it though. I thought it was because we were unable to go to New York  as planned. Everything was set for the trip except for a sitter for my father-in-law and the funds to go. Hmm, well I guess nothing was set  :)  But that still wasn't it. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was me. I was sitting her trying to find excuses as to why I had not enjoyed my most favorite time of year and it was because I wasn't letting myself. I became pissy over the fact that my new phone could not be turned on until 4 days after I received it as a Christmas gift from my husband. I was fumed that we could not find an appropriate place to put our traditional live tree in the living room (we average 4 smaller artificial trees throughout the house). I was upset when I had to put the decorations up around the house by myself while my husband worked his two jobs (yes, 16 hour day) 5 days out of the week. I mean, how dare he! I nit-picked so much over the various ways to be uber crafty with my gift-giving  that I ended up with half-finished gifts and wrapping that revealed that I did it on Christmas Eve (note to self: still need to send out the grandmas' presents). Grinch anyone?!

This is not how I normally behave! So to make up for it (if only a little bit), I am going to say all of the things that did go right!

-My mom who decorated her house (including lights outside, a major bonus) just because she knew that I LOVE seeing her how in all of its pizzaz.
-The children at my church who put on the cutest and funniest Christmas play that I have ever seen. Shameless plug: if your church has not done Christmas Spelling Bee, suggest it to your Chirldren's Minister
-The Fairs (great family friends) who sent a Christmas card. I am a simple girl. Knowing that I was thought of amongst their extremely busy lives is huge!
-Having a home to decorate in the first place
-Spending Christmas Eve with my in-laws. I felt like a little kid again as we stayed the night at their house and woke up early....okay, 11 am (late night the night before), opened gifts, and made breakfast together
-My husband went to great lengths to get me the gift that I really wanted. I love the present but the fact that he was so diligent in obtaining it made it that much more special.

How could I have taken all of these things for granted?! Easily. By letting the petty (and not so petty) issues cloud the bigger, more important and lasting picture.