2018 flew by so quickly, I can hardly believe that it’s New Year’s Eve! It’s also the seventh day of Christmas, so we still have our Christmas tree up and are doing our best to celebrate, though the return of “regular life” next week is looming over me, making it a bit difficult.
I have a habit of setting mental goals and deadlines and building them up too much in my mind, and they end up stressing me out. Many areas of my life have been screaming out for change, and here I sit, wondering if I can do it. I suspect I’m not alone in this. But we can do it, can’t we? We can return to ordinary time, ordinary duties, ordinary lives and do our best with what we have.
Christmas so far has been full. In the days leading up to Christmas Eve, Jonny painted our living room, my request being that it be finished in time to decorate the tree on Christmas Eve, as is our custom. We ended up with our largest tree ever this year, nearly twelve feet tall! Best of all, it was free, picked up from a thrift store parking lot late on the 23rd.
Christmas Eve was a full day, but it’s my favorite of the season. I spent the morning grocery shopping because I can’t ever seem to get so organized that I don’t need groceries last minute. Keats, Larkspur, and Beatrix had to be at church at 2 p.m. to rehearse. My girls sing in the children’s choir at the 4 pm vigil Mass and this year Keats played an organ prelude. Though he’s played piano for many years, he only started organ lessons last summer, and he was nervous about playing, though I might have been even more nervous for him! My friend, and his longtime piano teacher, Eve, was there with me to see him play. And though I was forbidden (by Keats) to record him playing, my friend Lori captured some of it, including his organ teacher patting him on the back with a, “Bravo” afterwards. He played it perfectly, and I was so proud of him. This might have been my favorite Christmas Eve ever. I tucked the program with Keats’ name next to the words, “In dulci Jubilo” and “organ” away for safekeeping.
Christmas morning was very sweet, and I managed to surprise my younger children with their gifts. It was somewhat quiet and simple to the extent it can be with a houseful of children. Jonny and I prepared a big Christmas dinner, and later that day, I picked up one of my closest friends from the airport for a lovely Christmas visit. I spent most of the week with her, and Jonny took the kids out a couple of times so that we could have a quiet house. It was very good.
Yesterday was my 41st birthday, which we celebrated very simply and quietly, and tonight we will welcome the New Year with friends, though I’m not too keen on staying up late!
I hope that you all are having a wonderful season of celebrations, and I wish you the best in 2019.
p.s. The only Christmas knitting I did was a doll sweater, and three sets of doll shoes. I did finally finish Beatrix’s birthday dress, a couple days before Christmas. I’ll share photos soon! And, in case you are wondering, the bows and arrows my boys have in the photos are from Nova Natural-here’s the link. And the book that is open in Larkspur’s lap is Dangerous Journey (an abridged, illustrated Pilgrim’s Progress). We’ve owned it in the past, but it was loved to pieces and we needed a new copy to read to our younger children.
Emily says
Such lovely photos, Ginny. Very best wishes to you and your dear family for 2019.
Alexandra says
Happy New Year, Ginny!
Lisa says
Good to hear you had such a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas day. That is great your children were involved in the church singing and organ playing. Looks like they were so happy with their gifts. Happy New Year Ginny!
GretchenJoanna says
I love best the picture of your littlest girl with her little doll! So sweet.
May God grant you peace and quietness of spirit in 2019, in the midst of the craziness of a big family, and of all your plans and projects, hopes and dreams.
Thank you for sharing your life here!
Elizabeth says
Happy 2019 for your family!
My favorite image must be Larkspur’s face when she opens her present. Priceless! Did all your girls each get a doll? I love the sleepy yet excited faces :).
Ann says
Happy New Years and Happy Birthday, Ginny! May 2019 bring you much joy, peace and good health, all of which can be elusive in a busy household. Enjoy the moment as it comes because before you know it they all will be grown and gone.
Christi {Jealous Hands} says
Happy Birthday, Ginny, and Merry Christmas! xo
Jeannette says
News of your older boys much missed.
Michelle says
Ginny your photos are so lovely. I was triggered (in the best way) when I saw your husband painting since my late father was a painter by trade. So good to see.
Also, the looming thing. Well, I feel like I have been given a gift this year, although I’m still trying to figure out how to use it properly. It’s knowing that God will not give me the grace for tomorrow until then. I’m sure I’ve heard it before, but really heard it this time. 😉
You don’t know me at all, but I wish you a year full of abundance in all the essentials.
God bless you and your family and Happy Birthday too!
Sandra Davidson says
It is so exciting when our children are performing I have an eleven year old grandson who is blinded and he has been playing piano for just two years. At his one recital he played “ Moonlight Sonata” and made his Grammie cry.
I had heard anything since he had the new teacher and was so amazed at how much he had improved. He did a video Xmas card and played five carols if I may brag he is amazing and so are your children Ginny I love following you. May the New Year bring you many Happy blessings.
Love from Sandra in Canada
Kathryn says
Happy birthday Ginny. Thank you for sharing your beautiful holiday photos with us! Wishing you all good things in 2019!
Kate says
I always got very nervous for my oldest (a violinist) whenever he performed. It turns out he does not get nervous and loves being in front of people – good thing since he’s a music major. Ah, those extroverts. I guess, as an introvert, I was projecting.
I hope Keats continues to play the organ. There is a serious shortage of church organists and the ones that remain are old. Some church gigs play fairly well too.
Your Christmas photos are so sweet. We decorate our tree on Christmas Eve too. I suggested decorating it a day earlier this year because our Christmas Eve was very busy with choir commitments, but the kids protested. Christmas Eve is the tradition! My youngest said he loves waking up to a lighted tree Christmas morning. Oh, alright then. Who am I to introduce revolutionary ideas into the family.
Penelope says
Happy Birthday and Blessed New Year Ginny!!
My 16yo son has played organ (and piano) for many many years now — and plays organ regularly of a Sunday service … and I have only *just* outgrown my nerves on his behalf! Bless. He outgrew his own nerves a number of years ago! 🙂 ah, motherhood …
Marion says
HAPPY,HEALTHY,BLESSED 2019 to you and all of the family. Love the expressions on the younger children’s faces. The girls have such beautiful looks when they opened their dolls. Your children are such beauties.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GINNY Wishing you all good and wonderful things in the year.
Marion
Marilyn says
Happy Birthday Ginny. I enjoyed seeing children opening their gifts. I love the excitement and surprise on Beatrix’a face when she opened the present containing the doll. Your children are beautiful. Congratulations to Keats on a job well done. May 2019 find you and yours well,happy and blessed.
Marilyn
Joan says
Happy Birthday Ginny. Wishing you a year of joy and happiness. Thank you for sharing the lovely photos of the children on. Christmas morning. Wishing you and your family a new year filled with love and peace.
Joan
Ann Neef says
I love your posts!
Such a lovely family and reading your posts soothe me. I know being a parent can be stressful but you seem to handle it so well. I wish you and your family a wonderful new year!
katie k says
Happy Birthday! My birthday was yesterday also, its such a crazy busy time to have one. We celebrated this year with church services, afternoon naps (!) and I even invited a few girlfriends over for a party! I haven’t done such a thing since before I was married 26 years ago. But I think I will definitely do that again! Sweet time with family and friends, I always love your pictures of your family and kids. Blessings on the new year with your beautiful family! Your blog always blesses and encourages me 🙂
eva says
Happy Birthday to you and all the best wishes for the next New Year! Don’t stress yourself, you do the very best you can do. Best wishes for you and your wonderful family. Eva
karen says
Happy Birthday dear Ginny!! If it makes you feel better, I am ultra organized and I went to the grocery store three times in one week spending buckets of money because I could not grasp the magnitude of the cooking…I have a full house with the kids visiting and my life goes back to ‘normal’ on the 2nd with me going to babysit!!
Happy New Year to you and your family!!