Christmas Traditions

I started a post about being overwhelmed trying to start Christmas traditions for my family and make the holiday season perfect. But as I read what I had written it occurred to me that it doesn't matter what I do (or don't do) what matters is that our Christmas will be filled with love & laughter & quality time. Those are the things that truly matter to me! And while the small traditions that I have managed to start aren't going to win any awards, we are simple people and don't need a lot to feel content.

So instead of comparing myself to all the other mommy blogger's who seem to have Christmas traditions right out of a magazine I am going to pat myself on the back for loving my son, loving my husband, and making sure that although we are having a simple Christmas it's going to a great Christmas. I am going to be proud of myself for making Christmas special to Devon in any small way that I can even if it's just a new pair of pj's on Christmas eve and a new Christmas book to read, even if it's just a special stocking full of special things, even if it's just reading the same Christmas classic each Christmas eve before bed. Even if it's just trying to wake up before Papa and beat him to the presents(and I may have gone a little overboard in that aspect this year). And if all else fails even if the only thing I am able to do is be with my family and love them that's good enough for me.

Screw feeling overwhelmed...I want to enjoy my Christmas!

I am looking forward to blogging more soon. I have been lucky enough to receive a *free* hand me down lap top from my in laws and I have visions of relaxing in bed at night after Devon is sleeping a writing some deep & meaningful blogs so good that someone might actually start reading them while sipping on some hot chocolate or tea.

But in case this isn't reality and I don't get a post in any time soon MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Venting

Life has been REALLY hard for Duane & I lately. Financially we just cannot get ahead. We were doing okay until Duane's salary got cut (due to so many layoffs at our work he is no longer in the position that he was), my hours got cut (to save me from being laid off) and today my day care decided she will not do part time for us (the only thing that was going to keep us a float was cutting back the day care hours).

I am totally unsure what to do. Devon loves L (our day care lady) & her sons C & A. I feel confident that he is save & very well taken care of when he is in her care. So our options are A) Pay the full amount which we CANNOT afford or B) find a new day care willing to do part time with the posibility of full time once work picks back up.

The problem with B) is that the day care we are using is on the less expensive end of the scale so we will be hard pressed to find a part time day care that will be affordable once I am back to work full time.

Could there possibly be an option C? Could I possibly approach my employer and take a voluntary layoff (is there even such a thing?), collect ei and possibly take in a day care child of my own (who pays under the table?).

I am VERY jealous of people who have family members who care for their children for free...

UGH!