Already?

A friend mentioned to me the other day that they missed my blog...my response was a mutter-ish one about how I guess I hadn't written for awhile.  And something else, but I'll keep that comment to myself. 

But now I'm all kinds of messed up, because it's already December 8th.  I was going to write the somewhat expected "my how times flies...it's already December" post a week ago, but now it would have to be the "my how time flies...it's already a week into December" post, and I just don't know about that.

Instead, I will throw a random smattering of thoughts/updates together that pretty much confirm to you all that I temporarily lose it every once in awhile, especially when I realize it's already nearing the end of the year.

For starters, I am soooo looking forward to my 3rd and 4th graders school Christmas program tonight.  I can't believe it's already time to find all those red and green accessories in order to make sure they look Christmasy, yet still meet their approval in not making it look too Christmasy.  I simply cannot wait until they're teenagers.  Please note the sarcasm.  Seriously though, I am very proud of the 2 of my kids that will be a part of a fantastical show tonight.  And I'm still feeling pretty blessed that this public school system incorporates songs like "Breath of Heaven" into their repertoire...

Speaking of which, I know people have differing opinions on the matter, but I love the Christmas tree that fills up the main intersection downtown.  It makes me smile.  And, no, I do not mind the "no left turn" policy while it is up, because I just think it's awesome.  The official lighting of the tree was earlier this week, complete with hot chocolate, cookies, music (always love hearing my daughter's group sing...which they did that night...which is why I started this paragraph with "speaking of which") and an accidental giving-in to my son when he asked for a ride on my shoulders.  I swear the kid is a monkey.  Before I could even say a word about, his bum found a place to perch upon my shoulders and it was just easier to carry him to the van that way.  Luckily, he has zero meat on his frame or I would've really been hurting the next morning.  All in all, it was worth it.  When I tucked him in he looked at me and said "I love you, Mom.  You're the best ever.  Thanks for letting me ride on your shoulders.  Can we do that again tomorrow?"  He's so precious...

A slightly different "already" came in the form of both of my grandparents coming home from the hospital.  It's been a week that has gone from report to report of my grandpa's mild stroke and pneumonia to my grandma's ER visit (to a different hospital of course) to both of them returning back home.  I adore my grandparents, and it's dawning on me that they won't be around forever.  That thought is brutal to say the least and it caused all kinds of emotions to surface, some having to do with them, some having to do with me, some even having to do with how my situation has changed over the past year.  And I'm telling you, I'm not necessarily proud of all the various emotions I allowed to creep into my brain...BUT, I'm also glad that I was able to update my awesome prayer warriors that they were "already" home and that I've been able to process and file away my own stuff I was dealing with.  God even paved the way for me to even go up and spend some time with them a few days ago...forcing them to let me put up their Christmas tree and decor.  It was a day of blessing, for sure.  And I'm glad I'll be able to spend some more time with them in a matter of 10 days or so.

Dad continues to recover from his knee replacement surgery.  His journey has been full of "already"s.  Already off pain meds...already up and about...already making the trek to see his grand kids perform tonight.  I'm truly grateful for the way God has been a part of his healing and my mom's amazing care taking. 

I'm already rambling, so I better close up shop.  But before I do, I just want to say that I'm already finding so much joy in this month of December.  It's in the little things, the big things...predictable places and unpredictable.  I'm astonished at how God is already filling and warming my soul up in a way that far surpasses what even homemade soup can do to a girl.  It would be weird to say that I'm surprised, because nothing really surprises me anymore.  But for some reason, this joy and peace that exists, though sometimes I let it get buried under all the yuck, well, it still gives me that "aha" feeling. 

Holidays can be tough.  No question there.  And I'm guessing that many of you would agree with that statement.  Yet I am reminded that God can and does go out of His way to remind us that we are precious in His sight, regardless of what month it is.  I hope that you are able to recognize those reminders, whether you're the one that needs them or the one He has called to give them.  Because there's no such thing as "enough already" with God.  He takes delight in lavishing us with His unending love. I'm pretty sure that's what this Christmas thing is all about.  And no matter how often I find myself exclaiming "already?" in regards to this season, I am ready.

Bring. It. On.