Holiday spirit

Happy Birthday Elf on the Shelf.  We also call him 'Dobby,' after one of my favorite Harry Potter characters.  I don't think I thought this through last year, and Pinterest is just telling me I don't have the ability to do half of the ideas I'm seeing.

It's Christmas time, and the house is decorated inside and out with brightly lit colored lights.  The tree is in the corner giving off nothing but warmth, as is the fireplace mantle.  I am hoping I'm almost done with the shopping, but we all know that's not the case.  There's always that, 'oh I forgot this!' or 'Oh they have to have this,' kind of gift.  

Moving onto the random thoughts that enter my daily superhighway, I had another.  Let's start off with, I haven't decorated the exterior of a home I've lived in since I was 16.  Just a reminder, I'm in my 40's now. 

I lived on my own since I was 16 as well, and I barely remember decorating the interior.  While I was married to J, I did all the interior decorating simply I loved the warmth of the holidays.  Less than half the time he would help, and it was just to put up the tree.  Even while he was deployed, I'd still decorate for myself.  After his affair, I noticed I was doing more with the decorations.  I wanted to put more effort into it, and I think it was for the kids because they deserved the memories more than the adults.

In 2022, the first year R and I were together he pulled out all the decorations and asked me to help.  Honestly, I stood there like a deer in headlights because I really didn't know what to do.  He showed me where to put the lights for the exterior and asked me where I wanted the other decorations.  We did it together and had an absolute blast!  Even in the cold outside, I had so much fun helping him.  This year it was a bit more stressful, and I give credit to our relationship being 3 1/2 years in.  We are comfortable getting irritated for a second.  I find it funny, because we still have a good time. 

This year, like last I decorated the interior however I wanted because R loves to see me happy, and I do it for our family.  The kids were visiting their father the weekend the tree went up, so when they came home it was their reaction that did it for us. 

A week later, Dobby returned with his shenanigans and so far, it's been eventful.  Waiting for the kids to pass out so we, or I can move that little sucker around has been more than interesting.  I'm listening to Christmas music and get emotional, because I'm emotional.  I just think of every year so far with the kids, from the first to the current.  I try not to think too far in advance because it peaks my anxiety.  

With that being said, here's to another Christmas, full of health, wealth and happiness surrounded by those twinkling lights, wrapped gifts and laughter filling the air.