Why am I sad!? It's Christmas!!

I'm coming to realize that the older I get the more little traditions, especially around the holidays, really matter. Decorating the Christmas tree has always been a huge thing for me, and my family always joked that I was the traveling "decorator". I literally went from house to house decorating the trees of all of my aunts and my grandparents year after year. It is my absolute favorite thing about the holidays.

I thought after moving in to my own home my love of this holiday and all of the little traditions my family has carried on through the years would only grow. I was really surprised when after digging out the Christmas trees (yes, I put up 3 trees, don't judge!) and beautiful ornaments that all I really wanted to do was sit on the floor and cry.

All of these memories of dragging the trees out of my aunts' attic, hanging the stockings, stringing popcorn, listening to Christmas music...they all came rushing back, and honestly made me a little sad. I can't believe I'm doing these things alone this year.

At this point I'm really just convinced I'm some kind of freak. I mean, I moved five miles down the road from my parents and the house I grew up in. It's not like I moved half way across the country, BUT sometimes it feels that way.

This year my Christmas present to myself is to love on my family a little more than usual, even if that means spending time with the crazies (because lets be honest, we all have crazies...some more than others...we have A LOT of crazies).

So, Merry Christmas to you and yours from me and mine!


(And I had to share these precious pictures of my favorite kiddos! Snow days are great for photo shoots, btw.)

The loves of my life! Could they be any cuter!?!