*8Things for a Peaceful Holiday

This Sunday is the beginning of Advent, the Christmas season of waiting for the Christ child.  It is a weird and wonderful time to be waiting for my own baby to be born.  There is much uncertainty, because on Christmas Day I could have my new baby home, we could be in the hospital, or we could still be waiting.

For us, this will truly be a holiday season of less.

Rachelle at Magpie Girl has made a list of *8 Things for a Peaceful Holiday.  This is exactly the idea that sings to me at the moment.  What can we do to feel part of the holiday season?  And what can we happily leave out?

1.  There will be Christmas food.  Maybe not on Christmas Day though, and probably with little time for preparation on the day.  I’ve decided that finger food is the way to go, and I’m slowly filling up the freezer.

2. There will be a carol service.  My choice would be the midnight service on Christmas Eve, but who knows?  A big, boisterous Carols by Candlelight in the park would be fun, too, and probably cooler.

3.  There will be friends.  We are organising an orphans’ Christmas, of sorts.  But it’s very low key, and if our house is not appropriate on the day, somebody else has volunteered to host.

4.  There will be gingerbread.  This is the one Christmas food I make every year, for friends, for work… everyone.  This year, I’m not sure how I’ll go – on my feet in a hot kitchen in the middle of summer at 8 months pregnant.

5.  There will be a paddle pool.  Here in Australia, heading to the beach is an integral part of Christmas celebrations for many.  It’s not really an option in Canberra, but our neighbours have given us a giant paddle pool that can probably fit 6 adults.  I’m thinking we’ll all need water balloons and water pistols to take full advantage : )

6.  There will be decorations.  We’ve never spent a Christmas Day in Canberra – we’ve always gone home to family.  We don’t have a lot of decorations, but this year they are going up.

7.  There will be afternoon naps.  As the temperature rises, and my feet begin to resemble footballs, naps are a necessity.  This may be more about the ‘peaceful’ than the ‘holiday’, but I think it’s important enough to include.

8.  There will be Skype.  Almost all our extended family now have skype set up – some needed more coaching than others.  But living so far away, I’ve come to value it immensely.  To be able to share video as well as conversation with loved ones on the other side of the world is just amazing.  They’ve been able to see my growing bump, and I got to watch my brother try on the t-shirt I sent for his birthday.

There will not be:  A full 5 course meal, an endless list of Christmas office functions or mad travelling from one side of the country to the other.  For me at least, there won’t be squeezing Christmas shopping around increasing work hours.

So while Christmas this year could be any manner of uncertainties, and I will miss my family horribly, it should also be quieter, saner, simpler and more peaceful.

And if anyone offers you eggnog or mulled wine or sangria or a G&T… please have one for me : )

Embracing the unknown

I’m having a very teary day today.  Was it on Jen Lee’s blog that I read ‘Faith is forward motion’?  Today I’m having trouble moving.

I’m not really worried about the baby coming… that feels like inevitability now.  There’s just so many unknowns. Christmas is impenetrable – will there be two or three of us?  If the baby comes by then, will my mum be here?  What sort of food should I be planning?  I’m usually excited about Christmas plans by now, but this year it seems I can’t make any.

I don’t even know when I’ll start maternity leave.  It sounds conceited, but I’m not sure how things will run without me.  There’s a few technical things I haven’t been able to hand over properly.  My manager has even discussed me working from home for a while, before the baby comes.  This makes me nervous… I’d rather just be done with it.

My body is changing so rapidly at the moment, I’m no longer sure what I’ll be able to do from day to day.  Sitting at my desk – or just sitting still anywhere – is increasingly difficult.  The baby is making it’s presence felt.  I’m wishing more and more I knew if it was a boy or a girl, because it seems increasingly inappropriate for such a strong presence to have no name.

I know this attitude isn’t helping.  I know I need to find a way to move forward, despite all the what if’s.

So that’s my wish for this week: I wish to embrace the unknown.

What are you wishing for?

The first day of Christmas

Happy Advent, everyone!  Actually, Advent started yesterday, with the first of four Sundays before Christmas.  But today is December 1, and I’m choosing today.  The boys are sitting in the living room, doing weights.  The waifs are being wistful and homesick on the stereo.

For me, the month before Christmas is about reflecting on the year.  I’m making presents for the people I love, and giving thanks for friendships new and old, and looking forward to celebrating with all of them.  I’m remembering last Christmas, and the impossible list of things that have happened since.

This is going to be an odd Christmas I think, with only the two of us.  We’ve been having a tough time getting along lately, for no reason in particular.  We both want to fix it, but can’t see how.  Hopefully this season of reflection will get us to our own special Christmas togetherness.  So if you’re a person of prayers or wishes, please send some our way.  We will need all the help, of any persuasion, that we can get.

In the mean time, I’m going to start wrapping my presents for family.  They are all gathered together on the other side of the country.  I should be there, too.  If I finish in time, their presents will arrive before they have to return to all their distant homes.  I’d like to be a part of their early, unexpected Christmas celebration.