The one about Sun Rises and Holidays

I have seen more sun rises in the past 6 months that I have seen in my entire life.  It's a magical and silent awakening of the day.  It's a blast of beautiful colors that drop light on the morning.  It's a fresh start and a new beginning.  His Mercies are new every morning.  What a gift!

 

I cannot believe that my sweet little girl is 6 months old.  Once again, being a mom has put a whole new spin on the holiday season.  The following is my newest top ten list:

Top ten things that I learned over the holiday season and hope to pass on to future first time moms:

1.  Online shopping is much easier that  venturing out to stores.  I don't think that this needs much explanation.  Instead of battling the crazies, a very nice delivery man will bring anything that you need to your front door.  Done.

2.  If you do decide to take a trip to the store, make sure that you park closest to the cart return in the parking lot.  After hauling an infant carrier around with a 15 pound baby, this will make sense to you.  On a positive note, lifting this carrier is an unexpected daily arm exercise.

3.  If you do decide to take a trip to the store, make sure that you pack an extra bottle, light up music toys, pacifier wipes, hand sanitizer, cart sanitizer, an extra pacifier, blankets, lovies, and two changes of clothes.  One of these changes of clothes needs to be for your baby and one needs to be for you.  Shout out to my little sister for learning this the hard way.  Good thing that she had a tank top on underneath because baby poop does not make the best accessory to a white shirt. :)

4.  If  you do decide to take a trip to the store and have managed to pack the above, have a strategy.  You feed your little one before you leave the house, it takes thirty minutes to pack your bags and start the car.  It then takes another thirty minutes to get to the store, find a parking spot, and haul the carrier and baby supplies inside.  Knowing that it will also take thirty minutes to get home, you now have 1.5 hours max to complete all of your errands.  Don't get stuck without a plan because  before you know it, a major meltdown has occurred and all you have managed to place in your cart was that dress you were tempted to try on when you walked into Target.  It doesn't fit by the way.  You had a baby.  

5.  If you do decide to take a trip to the store, have packed appropriately, and had a perfect shopping strategy...do NOT forget your purse.  After waiting in line behind ten people, unloading your cart, and boxing out the lady behind you that just wants to touch your baby's feet, do not realize that you left your wallet at home.  You will have a sense of utter defeat as you smile embarrassingly at the check out clerk and apologize for your lack of ability to pay.

6.  I will repeat and reiterate... Shop online.

7.   Take time to enjoy the season.  Smile at others.  Say Merry Christmas.  You never know when you may be passing someone that just spent 1.5 hours in Target only to realize that her wallet was at home and she had to leave the store empty handed.

8.  Take pictures.  Add a camera to that list above.  You will be glad that you captured the moments that you were too busy to appreciate.

9.   Remember that Christmas should be about Jesus more that Santa.  It is easy to get caught up in the crazy and forget the absolute joy of the season.  Imagine the sun rise that Mary and Joseph witnessed on the morning of Jesus' birth.  It's the same sun that rises today.

10.  Try to enjoy January.  Some wish that 2014 went by slower.  For these people, the year was exciting and full of blessings.  Some are hoping to forget it.  For these people, the year was full of disappointment and hurt.  Either way you look at the past year, it is important to remember to enjoy today.  A New Year and a new day bring about great possibilities.  Bring it on!