Where are you Christmas?

I don't know why Christmas has been so hard for me this year, but it has.

A lot of it stems from Curt's job.   He's been working so much and has been dealing with a supervisor that basically should have been fired.  According to Curt, she's bored and spends her time micro-managing them.   He usually works a 60-70 hour week and hasn't had a raise in 3 years.   All the others around him have and Curt's frustrated.   He's forced to say "Yes" to everyone at work so, when he gets home, he automatically tells us "No!".  

Another frustration is I just haven't felt well until I had my surgery and was forced after it to stay down for 2 weeks.  Week 1 was easy, Week 2 was a pain.   I'm not one for staying down.  It really killed a lot of my "Go-go-go" attitude that I normally have.

I'm going to be putting up the lights today.  We are getting the tree this weekend, because I feel like I might just need a real tree this year (have you seen the price of a real tree?  They've totally come way down.)    I'm reading a Christmas Carol, and that is even taking longer this year for some reason.

Shopping is done.  I'm not spending anymore.   I'm concerned that my kids are going to have the "gimmees" and so we cut back!   I feel right in doing this but I'm sure that they kids won't be disappointed.

Aaron and Alyssa had their Christmas Concert for band and orchestra.  But since the schools took Christ out of Christmas, there was only one christmas song per group.   It was nice to see that the time that I force my kids to spend practicing was worth it.   Next week is their "Winter Sing". 

I went to the Mesa Temple last night to see Mesa High Acapella and they did pretty well.  This is kind of a tradition.  But Curt was working, Aaron was at scouts, Alyssa was at Activity Days.  It was nice to hear the music and share that with Hayden... but it was kind of hollow. 

It was also irritating... it was mutual night.   I don't remember being disrespectful and yelling during the performances when I was younger.   Some of the Missionaries were being really loud too.  I hope there weren't too many non-members there, there were not many good examples to be seen.  There was a couple of kids who were running around the wise men on the front lawn and one of the kids was trying to climb the camel.  No one stopped them, the adults were laughing.  It was really bad and chaotic.  I hope it's better when I take everyone to see the lights next week.   

Curt and I are going to the EVMCO Christmas Concert tonight.  I think that if I had been able to join this choir, it may have helped.  I didn't audition because their practices are on Wednesday night and those are the busiest nights for us already.   I will be auditioning the next time around because I feel like I need it.    I need to sing.   I don't get asked often because people forget that I do.   I enjoy singing and playing the piano.   I'd rather sing than accompany but I'd do either. 

I hope that I find the "Spirit of Christmas" soon, but it's something that I'm searching for.  Next is the 12 Days of Christmas with the Nativity Scene and scriptures.   I can't wait.