We had an insane weekend, with a Christmas brunch hosted at our house on Saturday and a fun school-related event at the Titans game in downtown Nashville on Sunday. I have not had a moment to breathe since we are genuinely trying to soak up everything between work and life when we have a moment. I shared it last year, but this post felt sweet today with a bit of editing. Because this year, it hits differently.
I just wanted to capture it all. Their sweet spaces as they’re all “dressed up” in simple ways for Christmas. I should have known better than to take this on alongside everything else. But alas, the high hopes of capturing a little magic sans dirty laundry were too strong to resist for me. {Behind these shots, means a lot of prep.}
With kiddos in 12th, 10th and 8th, these next few weeks feel like we’re just dragging it across the finish line after a marathon. Someone asked me a few days ago if I wanted a vacay for Christmas, and I told her I’d just settle for a week in my pajamas surrounded by our family. Airports sound like an absolute nightmare. I can’t even handle Home Depot right now. Let’s snuggle with Christmas movies and eat cheese. I’ve been in an existential crisis since this summer when the reality hit that we had a senior. I want nothing but downtime to be with my favorite people in the whole world because time is fleeting. Change is coming.
Home has always been an essential sanctuary to all of us, and it’s even more so now.
I’m not sure who invented midterms around Christmas. I’m guessing the same people who believe the time change is essential. When we’re all exhausted, with a touch of the sniffles and trying to get through obligations galore, let’s throw in high-pressure grades, tests, and stress. Happy birthday, Jesus.
My oldest informed me yesterday he’s finally experienced Senioritis. It exists in adulthood; it’s just called burnout. It’s only the beginning of December, so I should be pounding Redbulls like an absolute lunatic, revving it up. But instead, I’m Baymax over here, powering down, planning out matching pajamas with game nights and movie marathons.
So, we’re at the beginning of the end for our kids this semester. We try to keep obligations to a minimum in the name of mental health. We don’t buy into the pressure that you must always be on the go. We’ve been diligent at editing out the filler over the years because it’s always a lot if we’re not careful, and being intentional with our energy and time is an essential priority for us. I’ve always been really protective of our time together.
There are meetings and papers and reports, projects and deadlines—parties and activities, gatherings, and fun. More than anything, while we teach them to navigate the world and all those ups and downs that come with life, we want our kids to know they have a steady support system at home.
I realize I’m not the only one coaching at an Olympic level, just trying to cheer everyone enough to drag it across the finish line. And I’m also not the first mom to experience all this. I’ve learned very quickly in this stage of life that parenting teens can feel a little isolating unless we’re okay with being vulnerable with others. It helps to be reminded that so many people feel the same way.
So, from emotions to adjustments, deadlines, and conversations, we’re just trying to assist them through transitions and manage new hurdles… we’re “busy” doing life. But also very grateful that we get to do so.
Last week, while they were at school, Jamin and I decided to tackle upstairs. We didn’t want to bother them while they were home {they get a little eye-rolly these days when I invade their space when they’re home in the name of photography} and figured it was the least disruptive time.
So we threw in some garland. We finished up some seasonal decorating. We made beds. Yay, festive. Simple additions that show a little love.
See his space here for more details + before + afters.
Because everything feels different this year.
Instead of shoving Barbie dolls and Lego men out of the way, it’s laundry, dirty bowls, and cups—blankets, schoolwork, and pillows. If anyone is looking for spare cutlery, I know it’s probably under my youngest’s bed.
I’ve always lived by the mantra of “Make your bed! Every day!” a-la a peppy Mary Poppins take on life, but it ultimately died with good intentions, alongside juicing and flossing every night. Because in the rush of every single morning, it’s a miracle to get them out the door in good spirits.
If fussing over dirty dishes and unmade beds are our biggest problems, I’ll take it—every day.
It’s really easy to judge the parenting tactics of those with older kids until you actually have older kids. For example, when people shared about dishes in their kids’ rooms, “I’d be all, what are you people, feral? I could NEVER.”
:: promptly brushes goldfish crumbs off the sofa for dogs to eat::
And here we are. Heaving dishes out from under the beds. And stuff.
See her space details here for more info + before and afters.
Their rooms never look photograph-ready. Right now, I’m pretty sure a garland fell, and those beds won’t be made again until January unless I do them because we’ve all lost our minds.
We’re all just doing what we can. It’s important to remember this since the general population of Target perusers have turned the crazy up a notch when I do have to brave it into a public outing. It’s the holidaisical apocalypse.
I know that one day, I’ll miss clearing all these little things out of the way.
I’ll miss the ice cream-encrusted bowls and the stacked cups of I-don’t-know-what and finding still-to-be-eaten stashes of Halloween candy before the pups get to it first. {Let’s say Rigby has a stomach of steel. Foil and all.}
And this Christmas, it’s hitting a little harder.
One day, they’ll come home for Christmas, and I’ll have their little trees waiting for them without shoving a single thing out of the way. Even if I joke with them that each space will be dedicated to a new hobby… I keep telling our youngest he gets a kiln in his room when he goes to college.
It’s an interesting journey. It’s amazing to have our little people growing into such beautiful, independent thinkers. Watching them handle challenging issues in real-time, with empathy for others, is incredible. They’re learning to navigate life on a level we never had to.
While I’m glad to say goodbye to some obnoxious, pressure-ridden versions of Christmas like Elves on the Shelves…. {possibly the most reviled “tradition” ever invented – See us tripping over the furniture like psychopaths each morning since we never could remember.}
I’m soaking up each moment as I can because there’s something about watching them grow that always fills me with absolute joy and heartache all at once.
See his space here for more info and a few before + afters.
In a really good, bittersweet kind of way. I’m just soaking it all up.
I shared a little Christmas here, because I wanted to remember. This season and where we are… It’s one of gratitude and just trying to get through these last few weeks before we can finally collapse and recharge.
And when you see “perfect” spaces, know that it took us an entire morning of prep to get it that way, just like everyone else.
Whether or not they want to admit it, their faces lit up a little when they came home that afternoon. Even the oldest, who declared he didn’t want a tree in his room this year. And he still plugs it in each night for a little of that Christmas glow.
So here’s to getting through the season, parents of teens. It’s a little less of the step-on-the-legos action and a whole lot more of just being there. Because the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse days were pretty nice, and I only thought they were hard. But I wouldn’t trade this stage for anything.
Here’s to celebrating a little of that magic in your own way because the little things still matter.
Here’s to a little Christmas glow.
MollyS says
This is the most accurate and relevant “my Christmas home tour” post that I’ve read on the web. What a gift of encouragement to me today. I’ve got three kids around the same age, too. You nailed it!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Awe thank you Molly! This truly means so much to know we’re not alone! It felt a little silly showing perfectly curated rooms without the reality going on behind it. Life is tough this time of year but it’s a bittersweet adventure, too. Hugs and here’s to enjoying every moment!
Carol says
The bedrooms are so full of joy, love and wonderful design elements. Just beautiful.
Can I please ask where the chandelier is from in the girls room? Thank you. Happy holidays.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you so much! It’s from here – we love it so much she had it in her first room {she was around 7} and then we purchased it again for our new {old} house. She still loves it at 14. I am only seeing a flush mount here, so I googled and the original link is here. They had it for so long, I bet if you googled you could hunt one down. Hope this helps.