“Oh smile a little bit,” the bank employee at Chase said to while I was waiting in line today. I truly didn’t even realize I wasn’t, but I was so deep in thought over all that I still have to do before Christmas is actually here (with it being only a few short days away). I shouldn’t be complaining really, I shouldn’t, because my mother is cooking Christmas Eve dinner and my mother-in-law is doing Christmas Day at her house for dinner. And yet, the stress is mounting to bake more, as well as, finishing buying those last minute gifts and wrapping them.
Ok let me re-phrase that I do not wrap gifts, I am terrible at it. As I write this my wonderful, loving husband is wrapping some more gifts. He wrapped the kids presents yesterday. He took a break and I tried (keyword tried) to wrap four little gift sets for the young girls who help the dance teacher at Emma and Lily’s dance class. The mess I made (and let’s not forget the few four letter choice words that I uttered, too) was ridiculous. I wrapped them all right, but barely. Seriously, I can do crazy math equations in my head, but I can’t wrap presents to safe my life!! So, yes I do thank god for Kevin and his wrapping abilities, because my poor kids don’t ever have to worry that they will have to open my messed up wrapping job.
That said, back to smiling or the lack thereof today. It is Saturday before Christmas and I really do love this time or year, but it is no secret that I hate Saturdays around here. My kids have dance and getting them out the door for their classes is plain torture. When I woke them this morning, Emma thankfully woke up happy (staying happy is a whole other ball of wax), but Lily was screaming like I was torturing her to get out of bed while having to leave her blanket and pillow behind. I can relate, because I too love my bed and it is rather cold here right now, but still my ears were practically on fire listening to her screams.
In the meantime, Kevin’s battery on his car died and I as I write this his dad is coming over to check the car out. Probably going to cost more money that quite frankly we didn’t need to part with at Christmas time, but I digress. Even getting out the door for dance class was nothing short of catastrophic for my girls. Both were unhappy with the tights, leg-warmers and just about everything else you could imagine. Even Kevin, who is the more patient out of the two of us turned to them and asked calmly, Do you two not want to go to dance class anymore, because that can be arranged?”
Finally get to dance class, it is freezing out and the wind is whipping up, but neither of my kids would leave the car unless Kevin got them out. So, I am standing outside the car freezing my butt off waiting to see how this is going to play out for a few minutes.
Dance was uneventful minus the fact that Santa Claus himself made an appearance. My kids have now seen Santa three times and tomorrow will make four when Uncle Michael dresses up for his annual stint as Santa for them. Seriously, they are going to think Santa is an everyday occurrence and probably be asking even after Christmas for him. But nevertheless, they really are adorable with Santa and are so in awe. Really love this age for that much, I will say.
While, I was at dance class for both of my girls classes, Kevin did our grocery shopping. Again, I should not be complaining, because he really does pitch in a ton around here and as I was told recently by one of the other mothers from dance class, “You are so lucky.” But folks that didn’t happen overnight, it took years of nagging and bitching to wear him down. I hear horror stories about husbands going out partying all night long, not doing anything and then in the next breath hear, “Your husband is amazing.”
And don’t get me wrong he is a great guy, but again if I didn’t complain and openly disagree with him pretty much wearing down his resistance, he too could probably be an ass. That said I believe behind every wonderful guy is an even more wonderful woman/wife who nags until she makes her husband’s ears bleed!! Seriously though, Kevin put it best recently, when I lost my voice this past week, “It is the most wonderful time of the year and a true Christmas miracle!” And then he added, “You should lose your voice more often!” (All joking aside, still left with a lovely cough from this now.)
Honestly, I love Kevin will all my heart and do need to get him more than just the one thing I bought him so far for Christmas. I should get my rear in gear and go shopping one last time before Christmas is in fact here. So, I am going to sign off on this blog post for now and try to decide on which box of ear plugs will do the best job for him to drowned me out the quickest and best when I am in fact my loudest (joking )!! Also, maybe I could just give him this post, because I am fulfilling his wish to be talked up more on here, because every time a few days goes by without a mention of Kevin, he will ask me,”When will there be another Kevin post?” So here it is wrapped up with a pretty nice bow, too (ok again just teasing)!! And as for the smile that apparently I was so very lacking for that bank employee, fear not it is back now and I am smiling like as many a deranged housewife would right before attacking (more humor)!
Quite frankly, I kid because of how much I do love him and I do thank god for him (at this time of the year I just can’t help, but be indeed thankful). This is our marriage, we can argue with them best of them one minute, then laugh and joke the next. On a positive and happy note, tonight we are going out to dinner to celebrate just the two of us as Christmas is drawing nearer. I can’t stress enough that I am excited to have an adult meal out (most who follow know we get to do this every few months) with Kevin, actually eat something while it is still hot and have a drink or two. So, yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus and my Christmas prayer or letter to the big guy has been answered about a few hours of peace and quiet. However, I probably will have another blog article to write from that, but that is another story for another time.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend though and having a holly, jolly holiday season, too.
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JanineHuldie says
Lol, Clark I hear you on the gift bags, but with little kids all they want to do is unwrap gifts. So, I have caved on this, but thank god that Kevin can wrap, because if I had to do all their gifts I would probably lose my mind in the process!!!
JanineHuldie says
Oh so true Michelle and even right now, mine is sitting on his butt while I answer posts, tend to the kids and start baking. Got to love men!! Merry Christmas to you and your family, too!!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Melanie and so glad I am really not the only wife who nags their husband. I know I do it, but seriously like you said it is the only way things do get done around here!! Dinner was great and even had two cocktails (so yummy!!). No back to reality today with two screaming, whining kids, lol!!
Jane Marsh says
"he is a great guy, but again if I didn’t complain and openly disagree with him pretty much wearing down his resistance, he too could probably be an ass." Refine this a bit, tighten it, and then market is as a T-shirt slogan. Wives across the continents will flock to buy these as anniversary gifts… 😛
JanineHuldie says
Oh Jane love your idea with the t-shirts and would probably sell like hotcakes, lol!! Thanks seriously 🙂
Emily says
Yes, nagging our husbands is part of our job description! Even so, Kevin does sound like a great guy and that he takes it all in stride. Personally, I'm very impressed that he does most of the wrapping…if he'd like to come over here and start mine, he's more than welcome to.:) Happy, jolly, merry Christmas to you too!
JanineHuldie says
So true Emily. I think it is in the job description for wives. That said I would loan him out, but I truly do need his powers for good around here 🙂 Seriously, Merry Christmas to you and your family, too!!!
Courtney says
I can't wrap presents either. You'd think if I can design clothes, I could do that better, huh! Weird.
Stephanie Sprenger says
Sending you a big virtual hug. Loved this post. My first thought was, "I HATE it when strangers tell me to *smile*". None of your business, stranger, and we can't smile EVERY second, can we? It is ok to not love every minute of one's day…
Second, I too am "lucky" to have a husband who helps, but I vehemently do not agree that this should be some unusual circumstance. Women *should all* have husbands who help, and we should not have to pat them on the back or thank our lucky stars for the times when they do their duty and pitch in. Descending soapbox now. 🙂 Merry Christmas Janine! I hope you find a few moments to relax today! 🙂
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Stephanie for the hug and they are truly always very appreciated. Loved your bit of soap box preaching here, because you are totally preaching to the choir on this!! Merry Christmas to you and your family, too!!!
Christy says
I completely understand what you mean about getting caught up in the season. Take time for YOURSELF too Janine!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks so very much Christy for the comment and tweet, too. You too take some time and have a very, Merry Christmas!!
Ruchira says
oh Janine…you are darn lucky girl…cooking is taken care of, wrapping is taken care of and all you ought to do is shop 🙂
Wishing you a fun time with Kevin and have an adult conversation and good food 🙂
Merry Christmas, my friend!
It was such a pleasure to know you and meet you via blogging world 🙂 Cheers!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Ruchira and I too have been so happy and blessed to have gotten to know you through blogging. Kevin an I did have a very nice night out, but then today it was truly back to reality with a few temper tantrums sprinkled through the day courtesy of two little girls, lol!! Seriously, wishing you and your family the Merriest of Christmases!!!
Cyndi says
Aww…you'll look back on these days and I promise you'll think aww, there was so much love! Hehe. That's hwat I feel when I read your bost. 🙂 Merriest of Christmases to you.
JanineHuldie says
Oh thanks Cyndi and think you are totally right, because even through all the craziness I still am in awe how much I love Kevin and my girls. Merry Christmas to you and your family, too!!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Courtney and truly so happy to know it just isn't me with the lack of being able to wrap. I feel like such a spaz when I do wrap.
JanineHuldie says
Oh thanks Melissa and I feel the same way about you. So very happy to have gotten to know you and become friends with you. As for my energy, I truly don't know how to sit still. It is just my personality I suppose, but I am trying to take a break once in awhile. And by the way, I am going to need a swift kick in the butt to get back to finishing my book and editing too in the New Year!! Merry Christmas!!!
Kelly Steele says
Ugh, I hear ya on not having it all done. I know dance can be a pain for you at times, but I love reading about your girls because I have to live vicariously through you because I have two boys!!
JanineHuldie says
Oh thanks Kelly and guess what I am still not done. I have more last minute shopping and baking to do tomorrow and that is just the tip of the iceberg, lol!! Happy to share with you though 🙂
gigigirl says
And a jolly Christmas to all of you too. xxoo
JanineHuldie says
And to all of you as well Aunt Gloria…xoxo!!!
JanineHuldie says
Thanks Richard and no worries. Totally understand, because it has been crazy and hectic here to say the least!! I can't wait for tomorrow morning, because my girls are truly excited, but would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit sad that it came so quickly and will most likely be over so quickly, too!! Seriously, have a very Merry Christmas to you and your family, as well!!