Keeping this season SIMPLE

If you can believe, the holiday season is upon us... Thanksgiving is only a week away, and Christmas is not that far behind. So much excitement, so much joy... And, so much stress. This time of year can bring SO MUCH STRESS! Between obligations and over-the-top shopping, baking, hosting and party hopping, we all seem to need a vacation after Christmas.

I, in the past, have been quite stressed during the holiday season. I LOVE to bake. Like, I could spend days in the kitchen baking and never get tired of it. SO, when this season rolls around, I have tons of excuses to bake, whether it's for a party or gifts for teachers or just because Christmas cookies are yummy! I also love to throw a good dinner party. You know, where cloth napkins and real dishes are used (yep, no plastic plates for company!). The spread of food covers our countertops and we're left with leftovers for days.

But the over-the-top baking and big dinner parties bring a whole lot of extra work and stress. And the joy I find in doing all of that doesn't always outweigh the stress that comes with it. I have found myself so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of list writing and shopping that I have completely missed the joy.

So, this year, I am scaling back a bit. Things are going to be different. I will still get to bake and have dinners, but no more over-the-top... No more trying to match "Good Housekeeping" cover photos. No more trying to cram so much activity into such a small amount of time.

The past few months have been very difficult for me, both physically and emotionally. I feel exhausted and vulnerable, which is not exactly the best way to start out the holiday season... But, this year, I think it might just be a good thing. I am being forced into truly focusing on what's important. The baking, although I do love to do it, is NOT the important thing... Cramming events into an already tight schedule is not what I should be doing this year, even though it means missing out on time spent with family and friends. No, what I need to focus on is keeping this season SIMPLE.

What would SIMPLE look like to you? For me and for my family, simple looks like more nights curled up on the couch reading books and watching corny Christmas movies. Simple looks like four monkeys and a mama rolling Snickerdoodle cookie balls in metal pie plates coated with cinnamon sugar like I did with my dad when I was little. It looks like saying NO to things we have said yes to in the past.

What would SIMPLE feel like to you? To me, simple would feel like peace... No anxiety about the mounds of things to do (because there will less to do), but just a sense of calmness and connectedness.

I want to spend this season having the time and energy to feel God's love and grace. I want the time and energy to truly be grateful for the life that God has given me. I want to use the time and energy I have to connect with my boys and Kevin and family in a way that honors God. And, the only way I can do that is by scaling back and keeping things simple.

Things will look and feel different for the Schussler household this holiday season. And, I am beyond excited to truly enjoy this time of year. I am excited to see the impact it will have on my family. I am praying for many "sweet moments of peace" for me and for my family this year. And, I think it might just happen! I pray you all can find those moments as well. Because, from what I have heard, those moments are AMAZING!