My Christmas Wish For You
Maybe it’s just me, but the holiday season always makes me start to feel super sentimental about life in general. I don’t know if it’s the Christmas lights or all the special family traditions, but I always find myself sitting around reflecting on the year, and recognizing how crazy fast life is passing by and the fact that I’m not getting any younger.
And yes, I’m turning another year older on Friday (I’ll be 28, in case you’re wondering) but it’s not even about that.
I think more and more the older you get the more you realize your parents and grandparents weren’t crazy when they told you life goes by quickly and the advice of “Better enjoy it while you can!” wasn’t a half-hearted joke like you always took it as being.
I’m not even exaggerating when I tell you that my boys were seriously just infants and before I could even blink they’re now in kindergarten and 2nd grade. Like what? How does that even happen?
- Related- Before You Know It
We get so “busy” working and getting into our daily routines that I think sometimes we miss all the little moments that are so important and insanely precious. I could literally kick myself some days for the moments where I give the excuse to my kids or husband of “Not right now, I’m busy.”
Because yes I’m busy, but aren’t we all? And don’t we have the ability to choose the levels of busy-ness in our lives?
You guys, life is so incredibly precious and all these ordinary moments in our day-to-day are worthy of our attention. And in fact those moments are the ones that need our attention more.
[socialrocket-tweet quote=”Life is so precious and all these ordinary moments in our day-to-day are worthy of our attention” tweet=”Life is so precious and all these ordinary moments in our day-to-day are worthy of our attention”]
When I get to be 80 years old, I don’t want to look back on my life wishing I had spent more time with my kids or regretting the fact I didn’t share a slice of cake with my husband on a week night.
Instead, I’d want to be able to tell you how my boys make the best homemade “presents” for me on almost a daily basis (aka hand-drawn art on notebook paper). I’d also want to be able to tell you that my husband has an uncanny ability to make me laugh uncontrollably, even on my worst days.
- Related- Motherhood- Things I Don’t Want to Forget
So in case you’re feeling overwhelmed right now amidst all the chaos that the holiday season can sometimes bring, just remember what’s really important.
It’s not about the Pinterest worthy dinner or driving yourself insane trying to make it to every holiday gathering. It’s not about buying the biggest, most extravagant gift out there or giving your kids every present under the sun.
Instead it’s about simply being together and spending time with those who truly mean the most to you.
[socialrocket-tweet quote=”Remember- it’s not about the gifts- it’s about being together and spending time with those you love” tweet=”Remember- it’s not about the gifts- it’s about being together and spending time with those you love”]
Take a step back, put down the phones, turn off the computers and TVs, and make it a priority to spend time together this holiday season.
My wish for you this Christmas is that you have the most magical one with your families. I hope you make the best memories and create fun traditions that will be incredibly special year after year.
That no matter where you are or what you’re doing, you’re taking the time to savor every precious moment and really be present with the ones you love.
From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
As I do every year, starting today I’ll be taking some time off from the blog to really enjoy the next couple weeks with my family. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season full of blessings from above!
Thanks for stopping by! – Cara
I commend you for taking some time off. I feel you on the “Busyness” I’m starting to really evaluate my life and the amount of time I spend behind a screen. The problem is, I find myself “BORED” all the time if I’m not on social media or checking my email or the million other notifications I have on my phone. Isn’t that sad 🙁 I need to change this.
Blessings to you in 2018!!
Chelsea
InspirationIndulgence.com
Thank-you! I’ve actually started turning my notifications off, because otherwise it can be too tempting. The same goes with e-mail. I try to only check during a certain time frame and then after that, it can wait until the next day. It has helped a lot. Thanks for stopping by girly! Happy New Year and wishing you a speedy recovery with your ankle!
This is so beautiful! Hope you had the most magical Christmas!
Thank-you Chelsea! Hope you enjoyed it with your sweet family too!
First, I love your fireplace display, beautiful! Second Happy Birthday! And lastly, this post made me get all emotional and almost cry at work hahaha! What you are saying is so true. Now that I have two nephews I really get what you are saying. It’s so amazing to watch them grow up and the holidays are so fun with them now that they are both getting bigger. I def plan to step away from social media this weekend until after Xmas. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year with your family!
Thanks so much girl! And sorry about that haha I always get so emotional towards the end of a year. Hope you had a great Christmas/New Years and got to see your nephews too! 🙂
Love your card! And I love the message of this post.
Happy birthday!
Merry Christmas.
Thank-you! Hope you had a great Christmas/New Years with your family!
What a beautiful, well-spoken reminder of truth. Thank you, Cara!!!
Thanks Erica, Merry Christmas!
You’re very right…time goes by quickly. We should cherish the moments. Here’s wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas season. Your Christmas card is great, and Happy Birthday!
Thanks Terra! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas season as well! 🙂
Thanks for the sweet reminder!!
You’re so welcome! Merry Christmas!
This is beautiful, definitely something to think about! It’s easy to get swept up in the business of life, but you’re right, we determine our “busyness”. I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas (and happy birthday for Friday!). xx
Thanks Christie! I’m trying to stop using excuses of being busy, because we all are busy and we definitely can choose our priorities. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Happy holidays to you and yours as well. I think a lot of us get sentimental around Christmas time and rightfully so. I hope that you enjoy your time off and have a great time with your family!
Thank-you! Merry Christmas! 🙂
I always get sentimental this time of year as well. Such a great reminder to be present and focus on what really matters. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and happy birthday!!!
Thank-you! I’m so glad I’m not the only one who gets sentimental lol I was beginning to think I’ve been watching too many hallmark movies. 😉 Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Cara! I am definitely trying to work on being present this Christmas season. I uninstalled several social media apps yesterday from my phone, and plan to reinstall a few after the new year. It has been less than 24 hours and I have already increased my productivity so much! I cannot wait to see how I feel about this break is complete.
That’s awesome! You always inspire me to unplug more and honestly it is liberating to take a step away from social media and technology sometimes. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas! 🙂
Beautifully written ❤️ I wrote a post a few months back talking about pursuing slow living and why we should stop normalizing “busy.” It’s true that this season is about spending time with the people you love most. I find myself getting sentimental and reflective during the last two weeks of the year.
Thank-you! I couldn’t agree more! And good to know I’m not the only one that gets sentimental this time of year haha. Merry Christmas!
Awe this was such a great post! Wishing you an amazing holiday season ahead!
xo,
H
http://firsttimethings.com/
Thanks Hillory! Merry Christmas to you!
Love this message!! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!
Thanks Ruthie! Merry Christmas!
This is a beautiful post! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks Courtney! Merry Christmas!
This is lovely. I cut back on some stuff this year so I wouldn’t feel so stressed. It’s definitely nicer to spend an evening watching Christmas movies with my husband and drinking wine than worrying about making 8 different kinds of Christmas cookies (though I still do have to make 1 batch of my brother’s favorite – he would not have a good Christmas without those cookies!)
Exactly! I used to want to try to everything and it’s just not possible to do everything without killing yourself or going crazy in the process lol. Hope you have a Merry Christmas!
So so true. There’s so much Im not doing this year because of having a new baby but I realized I’m okay with it. The time spent with her and my guys is what matters most and I’m so excited to enjoy it. Have the best Christmas and break- xo!
Exactly. I’ve always been really bad about trying to overbook and take on too many things over the holidays and it’s just crazy and unnecessary. Definitely going to enjoy relaxing and making memories with my family. Merry Christmas! 🙂
Happy early birthday! I hope you have the best time celebrating. Such a thoughtful post and so relatable. Time does go by so quickly and cherishing these special moments are what it’s all about. A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family! Sierra~Beautifully Candid
Thanks so much! I’m sure you can relate with your little ones- it seems like they grow up sooo fast! Merry Christmas to you! 🙂
Thank you for this! Such a beautiful reminder about what this time of year is really about. I hope you enjoy your time off and enjoy your beautiful family. Best wishes for the New Year too!
Thanks Shann! Merry Christmas!
Such a great, heartfelt post. Thank you for this reminder this season!
Thanks Natalie! 🙂
Amen, friend. I hope you have the best birthday and Christmas!
Thank-you!! Merry Christmas! 🙂
This was a much-needed reminder for this holiday season! Hope you enjoy your time off with your sweet family 🙂
xoxo, SS
Southern and Style
Thank-you! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
YES to all of this! I’m always so busy, that I need to step back and enjoy the little moments. I’m SO incredibly thankful for having next week off to focus on time with the family, and to just be. Merry Christmas <3
Green Fashionista
I’m so glad you’ll be able to spend it with your family! Hope you all have a great Christmas! 🙂
You’re so sweet! Merry Christmas!
Aw thanks Samantha! Merry Christmas!
Really needed this post today. Thank you for your sweet reminder and encouraging words. Happy early birthday, and I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas/New Years!
Thanks so much!! It can be such an overwhelming time so I really try to remind myself of what’s important. Merry Christmas! 🙂
I 100% agree with you my friend! Taking a step back, enjoy the little moments with family mean everything — and I don’t think people do that enough, so the holidays are the perfect time to begin doing so.
Absolutely! And it pains me that people don’t get off their phones and actually spend time with one another either. Like nothing out there on FB is that important lol. Anyways, hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!
I remember the day you were born it was cold and icy and we basically slid into Womack Army Hospital and the day you were born was the most exciting day for you and your Mommy. The reason it was so exciting was you were are first and only little girl. You see you are very special to us and we love you very much. We Love you and Rob and the 2 little buddies with all of our heart. Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas. Dad and Mom.
Thanks love you all! Merry Christmas!
Just beautiful and such a great reminder to all of us what is important. Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!
Thank-you! Same to you all! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas season! 🙂
Oh gosh… This choked me up. Such a good reminder in this hectic, overwhelming season
Thanks! Merry Christmas!!
Ah this is such a beautiful post! I’m so excited for the holidays. Christmas is the one time of the year that my family is all in one place and I treasure it so much. I can’t wait to unplug next week and spend devoted time with family and friends. Life is definitely about balance and being able to step back and focus on what truly matters!
Thank-you! That’s so awesome that you get to be with all of your family! I’m really excited to spend the next few weeks with my boys while they’re off from school! Merry Christmas! 🙂
100% yes! this year i’m super excited because usually we work during this time of year and our daughter has to go into camp but we’re both off and so we have 2 wonderful weeks together while school is on break!
happy holidays!
Aw that’s awesome! Same here- for the first time ever I don’t have to work all through Christmas break so I actually get to spend it with my little ones. Hope you all have a great break together! 🙂
Love this! The holidays are about, for me, slowing down and truly enjoying each other and making memories. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season! I too will be taking time away from my blog to enjoy my family 🙂
Thank-you! Hope you enjoy it!
I needed this today! I tend to get sooo weepy this time of year and what a doll you are! Merry Christmas beautiful babe, you are such a sweet soul!
Aw thank-you! Sometimes I think I’m the only one who gets so emotional this time of year haha but it just really makes you reflect on life. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family! 🙂
First off, happy early birthday pretty lady! This is SUCH a great reminder, especially during the holidays when you’re overwhelmed and stressed already. Enjoy the holidays with your family girl!
Thank-you!! Hope you have a wonderful holiday season as well! 🙂