Our Advent bags are slowly disappearing, replaced by Christmas cards as it gets closer and closer to the big day.
But it is disappointment rather than excitement that is mounting here at the pickle farm. With one, two… possibly three sick kids on my couch today our Christmas plans have been at worst cancelled and at best postponed.
I should be running around like a mad woman trying to bake cookies and wrap the last of the presents while attempting to clean the house ready for visitors. Instead I am watching hours of kid’s TV while trying to entice children to take at least a little sip of drink in between rotating the spew buckets. It’s not exactly how I imagined Christmas would be.
Yet despite the tears and the worry about whether the Christmas Angels will get our letter and be able to make a return trip to drop off presents on Boxing Day, despite the changes to plans and the uncertainty, despite the cries of ‘it’s not fair’ (and this time it really doesn’t seem fair), despite not being able to make our Christmas video (in lue of cards), despite all of that, I am surprisingly at peace with it all.
Missing a few Christmas celebrations isn’t the end of the world.
The kids will get better, the washing will get done, and we’ll celebrate with family when everyone is well again. No one is dying, no one is even in hospital. We have a roof over our head and renovations under way. We have plenty of food and presents. We are safe. We are loved. We have all we need and more.
Being sick at this time of year just serves to remind me how very lucky I am. Lucky, and thankful.
Thankful for all the wonderful things this year has brought me. Thankful for all the things I have done and learnt and experienced. Thankful for all the people I care about and who care about me. And especially thankful for my picklebums…. even when they are spewy.
I’ll be taking a break from regular blogging for the next couple of weeks. I have plans to share a few photo posts, just to keep a record of our summer days, but apart from that I am taking time out to finish a big project and spend time with important people in my life before the craziness of a new year begins all over again.
So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Pickle Farm…. enjoy your celebrations, stay safe and remember how luck you are!
Marita says
Merry Christmas :)
keepcatebusy (Cate) says
My kiddos came down with horrible gastro on xmas eve one year, and despite our best efforts to keep it contained, managed to spread it to at least 5 other extended family members (not counting me of course…I had to get an injection to stop throwing up) – yay, *that* was a xmas to remember.
Hope the little picklebums get well soon.
Merry Xmas…see you again in 2011
xxxCate
PlanningQueen says
Merry Christmas Kate. I am taking a break too. Hope your lovely kids get better soon.
Christie - Childhood 101 says
Sending you lots of hugs and warm wishes for Christmas, on whichever day it falls xx
Kez says
Hugs Kate! I hope they all get better soon!
Shelly says
I hope your little ones start to feel better soon.
Have a happy Christmas!
Nee says
Merry Christmas Kate to you and your gorgeous family. I hope despite the sickness you enjoy your time together. xx
Shae says
I hope everyone is better ASAP-it really is not fair!
Beautiful post though, I have so much to be grateful for xoxo
amandab says
Hope everyone is feeling well enough soon and you all enjoy your Christmas, whenever you are able to celebrate. Best wishes xx
Kelly B says
OH NO! Having sick kids is never fun… espeically at Christmas. Kate, I hope everyone is well really soon.
Merry Christmas!
Pixie says
Merry Christmas hon……hope everyone is well soon.
hugs