Wednesday, November 19, 2008

For we need a little Christmas, right this very minute!

This year has been a good year for our family. The last month and a half however, have been stressful and hard. Now, I know it will only get better. I have received very good advice and insight from people that are older and wiser than me and that have also gone through this. If you don't know what I am talking about, Jeff was laid off at the beginning of October. It's been scary, depressing, and disheartening. Through it though, we have become closer as a family, become closer friends, learned some great life lessons, and I think that within six months of this, we will be thankful that it happened. I believe that this will be a change for the better, I really do. I believe that Heavenly Father is watching over me, blessing me, and this is what was supposed to happen. I am feeling like I have built an even better relationship with the Lord through this process.

Now back to the tittle of this post. I felt like I needed to preface it with a bit of background. As a tradition in our family, we put up all of the Christmas stuff and go full tilt into the holiday the day after Thanksgiving. I feel that gives us enough time to really take in everything that it has to offer. I look forward to going to church each week to sing Christmas hyms and listen to Christ centered lessons. I love to make many different treats and goodies for us to eat and pass out. We also like to have a service project as a family. The girls look forward to getting a name off of a giving tree so they can buy a needy child a present. All of our family home evenings are about Christmas as well. Oh, and let's not forget the music! Every kind of Christmas music get played around here.

With all of this to look forward to in a little over a week, the waiting was getting kind of hard. Last Monday, we were finishing our family night, when Lindsay asked when we could start listening to Christmas music. I told her we could do that pretty soon. Maybe after Thanksgiving would be a good time. She just kind of smiled her little pirate smile that she has and said she would like some now. Later on in the evening, Jeff let it be known that he would like a little bit of Christmas to start early. "I just love the feeling, and I could use some of that feeling." he said. So I instantly start to hear Angela Lansbury start singing in my head:

Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;
So climb down the chimney;
Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.

So, I sang that to him and he just turned and smiled at me a said, "Exactly!" That means that the DeCoursey's are doing it earlier this year folks. We have already broke out the music and made our first batch of caramel corn. I don't think we will decorate till we usualy do, but the spirit is getting strong. The girls are making their Christmas lists, drawing up plans for gingerbread houses, and watching for the giving trees to appear in the grocery store. I guess I am wondering if anyone else has felt this way this year. When do people generally start their traditions for the holidays. When does the official gauntlet drop? For our family it was the 9th of November. (I have to say I saw someones tree up already on Halloween, that's pushing it)

For we need a little music,
Need a little laughter,
Need a little singing
Ringing through the rafter,
And we need a little snappy
"Happy ever after,"
Need a little Christmas now.


Disney Christmas Pictures, Images and Photos


18 comments:

Alicia said...

When I lived at home we always had to wait till at least December 1st to start listening to Christmas music or decorating, but I've discovered that since I have my own family now, we can do things differently if we want. (and by family I mean Daniel and the two kitties...) We've already started thinking about christmas and listening to music, and I don't think it'll be too much longer before we put up the tree. We've already got a spot cleared in our living room!

Em and Ms said...

I think a lot of people need a little Christmas early this year. I love Christmas, but I try to hold off until after Thanksgiving. I will admit I have broken out the Christmas music already this year though. It's just hard to feel like Christmas when you're driving down the road listening to Christmas music and it's 80 degrees outside! It's been unusually warm here this year. However, I don't like the commercialization of Christmas starting so early. Santa has already come to the malls down here! It bothers me because they're just doing it for money.

By the way, any news on the job?

Jan said...

It is funny. I have seen a couple of trees up already myself. I still hold off after Thanksgiving. Only because I love this time of year so much. Then I will dive into it. I think that we all are in a need for some Christmas spirit in the world. Jingle all the way Heidi.

Kelly said...

I thought this was going to be a post about the Muppet Family Christmas special.

I was pleasantly surprised :)

Great post.

Lisa Christine said...

Hi! I got your message. I was home when you left it but I was busy tending to a sick child (Alexandra). Anyways, I have to go pick up Lorelai now, I'll call you when I get back.

Love this post. And for the record...I have been doing Christmas tunes for a few weeks now too! I definately think they are OK to break out early. I hold off on the decor though...that would be a bit much.

Mike 'n' Cindy Brinkerhoff said...

That's so funny! Last night we all cuddled in to the living room and watched Rudolph! I hadn't seen it uncut for so many years there were whole scenes I'd forgotten about... Still, I truly do miss the days when it (and all the other Holiday specials) aired only ONCE per year, and EVERYTHING in the world stopped to notice.

It was so fun being at school, and everyone was so excited because FROSTY was on that night... Or SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN had been on the night before..

I know this is JUST like your mom's post last week, but it's just true!

Anyway, we're doing Christmas already too. Last Monday while Tyler was home from school and helping Cindy get the house Baby-Ready, he said "is it too early to listen to Christmas music?" and Cindy said "No! It's NEVER too early!"

We're going to be doing a Christmas Music Giveaway over at our blog soon, to celebrate that very fact!

SuzanSayz said...

Very nice post Heidi. I had a feeling that Lindsay wouldn't take the "no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving" thing lying down. I'm also really glad that you are keeping such a good attitude up for the girls. You're right you know, you will look back on this and think wow I'm so happy that happened.
Love Mom

Jones Crew said...

Ya!!!! I am so glad you found me!!! Josh couldn't remember where he put your info and I was gonna have to search for it when we got a little more settled. Keep me up to date!

Lisa Christine said...

Your side bar looks great!

Marilyn said...

Heidi, it's your cousin Marilyn here. I took your mom's recommendation to visit your new blog and I am so glad I did. Here you are talking about one of my all time favorite things in the entire world. Christmas music.

I start listening to Christmas music on November 1st because I really like to enjoy that Christmas feeling for as long as possible. In the past when I would wait until after Thanksgiving, I wasn't tired of the Christmas music and I would feel sad, almost depressed when it was over. Now, I've had my fill by December 26th and it is an easier transition back to normal.

I'll add you to my Google Reader and try to visit often.

Mandi said...

Hi Heidi - I came over from your Mom's blog!!!

I love holiday traditions or any traditions really. We didnt have many when I was small, so I have made some of my own with my girls.

The latest one is "ily ewinwy" if you say it out loud it sounds a little irish!! Ha ha as in illy eewinwee..........

I started this with my youngest a few months ago, so whenever we are leaving each other we say it -


It means........ I love you, even when Im not with you!!!

I must post about this.....

Stephanie said...

Heidi I am coming over from your mother and Lisa's blog.

You are so right. Back 1981 when my second child was a newborn my
husband was laid off. It was a long 11 months. I wish I had your attitude back then. I can tell you that I have learned we will be ok no matter what. Remember the Lillies of the Field....

Now let your mom see those girls.Ta hee Ta Ha.

Jeanette said...

Hi Heidi. I'm coming over from your mom's blog. I remember the great posts she's done about you and I just had to check your blog out.

Two years ago I had just had a baby, last year I was 9 months pregnant with a baby and our Christmases were duds. This year, we're starting early too! Merry Christmas :D

The Donald said...

We have been listening to Christmas music for a couple weeks now. Well, the girls have anyway. I am super stoked that this will be the first full holiday season with our new record player. We will be listening to the grooved sounds of Bing and others. Oh and you are on my blog roll now...happy?

dani said...

hi, heidi:)
i think there are many who are preparing early for Christmas this year... celebrating the joy of the birth of Christ and the season is definitely a good alternative to dwelling on the state of our union. it is my hope that these times will bring us closer and point out what is really important in our lives.
have a great friday!!!
hugs,
dani

tharker said...

Hi Heidi, I obeyed your mother and came over to say hello.

We start listening to Christmas music on November 1st. Sometimes my husband even tries to break out the Mo-Tab on Halloween, but I have to put my foot down!

I used to feel like the 1st of November was too early to start with the holiday cheer, but over the last few years, it's grown on me and now I look forward to it.

Happy blogging!

libbie said...

we usually wait til Thanksgiving, but this year . . . I just couldn't wait! My kids weren't even the ones begging! It was all me, although, they were quite excited. So we put up our tree last night. And let me tell, you, It made me sooooo happy! I just want to lay in front of it and stare! (and I do)!

Mitchellaus Copernicus said...

Heidi Heidi Heidi. It was good to hear your voice the other day at Donalds. I'm sure you didn't think I would actually get on your blog, but a promise is a promise. As for Christmas. We usually don't start decorating until after Christmas, but Nancie is pregnant, and we all know pregnant women don't think all that rational, so she started decorating a week ago. But I'm glad, because I'm definitely starting to feel the Christmas spirit and I like it too. Thanks for the post. I can't say I'll comment on every post, but when I do look at blogs, yours will be one of them. It is very easy on the eyes. And thanks for your comment. I'm really not sure where I find the music. I think it finds me. HA! Hope you guys have a good Thanksgiving this weekend. And since you're gonna be down here in TC, maybe I'll stop by and say hi.