Christmas Aniexty

Hi, my name is Kate and I have major holiday anxiety. Hi Kate. Whew, good to get that out there.

We travel back to DC in one week and this morning I officially hit my Grinch wall. The thought of packing and organizing for 4 people for 3 weeks is daunting. Add planning to entertain a baby and a toddler for 7 hours worth of flights. And a 3 hour time change. Then multiply that by the at least 4 different beds the boys will sleep in over the course of those 3 weeks. And the drives in between each place. Plus my (self-induced) fear that at least one person will be mad at me at all times because we aren't dividing the time just right. This all equals me staring blanklessly into my coffee cup this morning with a knot in my stomach that nothing will go right. Now, let me stress again, this anxiety is completely made up in my head, but I can't help but get overwhelmed. It happens every year. So, to keep myself in check, I'm going to make a little list of things I am looking forward and hopefully  unwind the knot.

10. A little cold weather, maybe even some snow? There is none in the forecast as far as I can see, but a girl can hope. It will be a nice change from the static weather we have here.

9.Wine, lots of wine. Last year I was pregs with Bennett and unable to drink the wine. With families like ours, participation in drinking is sort of essential. So glad I won't be left out this year :)

8. Having a night out with my friends and my brothers. The last time I went to a bar, not pregnant, without the responsibility of returning home to take care of my children was in September of 2010. Let's take bets on how long I can stay out. I'm going to call it a win if I make it past 11.

7. Seeing the cousins. On Kev's side of the family, there are 7 boys under the age of 5. Let's say that again: 7 boys under the age of 5. And we will all be together at his parents' house for several days. Chaos? Yes. Special? Most certainly. Cullen is over-the-top excited about hanging with the boys.

6. Visiting with my grandparents. I love that my boys have great-grandparents to know and can't wait to see them!

5. B's first Christmas! Do you know how much more fun Christmas is as a parent? So much.

4.Cullen's excitement. This time last year, C knew that Santa said "ho, ho, ho" and learned his colors from the Christmas tree lights. This year he is fired up Larrabee style (my husband's family are the most excited people I know. Having a bad day? Call my father in law. Seriously.) Bring on Baby Jesus and Santa!

Cullen last year, so not excited.

3. Going to my parent's farm. We have already created such special memories there since my parents bought it last spring. I know my mom will have it decorated so beautifully and can't wait to sit by the fire and take in the view.

2. Bennett's baptism. I mentioned last week that we will be getting B baptized at our home church. It is the same church Kev and I made many sacraments in growing up, were married in and got Cullen baptized at. In fact, if you go all the way back to 1992, it is where my mom and Kev's dad met when they taught religious ed together and became family friends, which ultimately led to me babysitting Kev's siblings 10 years later and us meeting. Thanks St. Francis for making that happen.

Our wedding, 2007

C's baptism, 2009

1. We will be together. Even though I whine and complain that Kev isn't around a lot, the fact of the matter is that he is home, and safe, and we will be able to spend Christmas together as a family. I never want to take that for granted.

What are you most looking forward to? Do you get holiday anxiety?