This Is Us...

 Hi!

It's not fancy, it's not extravagant, and definitely not worthy of any instafame, but this is what the holidays look like in our house.

This is us.

You'll find paint scuffed by moving furniture around a million times, and the odd wrestling mishap. You'll find floors worn by endless, sleepless nights spent walking with fussy babies, and impromptu dance parties. You'll find an outdated kitchen that has definitely seen better days, but can still produce food filled with comfort, baking made with care, grin-enducing treats made with love, and will never allow anyone to leave hungry. 

No, our house will never grace the pages of a magazine, never be the inspiration for an interior designer, but when you come through our doors, you will always be welcomed with a hug.

It's easy to be tempted to compare yourself with others, to compare your house with others.

Especially now, with all of the videos and photos that the algorithms flood to our 'for you" on every form of social media. Showing all the new, all of the mile-high ceilings, all of the high-end, all of the state-of-the-art, all of the up-to-the-minute. With every ad schlepping all the must-have "gifts" that start at the price of a mortgage payment.

When you find yourself tempted, just remember this...

Memories are made not by high ceilings, state-of-the-art appliances, or taking out a second mortgage for gifts. They are generated by love, laughter, old board games, breaking bread, and time spent together. 

So, if you are one of the many who do the holidays on a shoestring budget, just know you are not alone. There are far more stretching dollars than making it rain with them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with living within your means, no matter what social media and ads would have you believe. 

So let's just all take a collective deep breath. We will do our very best with what we have. We might have to get creative with recipes, and the wishlists to Santa. We might have to make do with sledding at the local park instead of taking ski trips in the mountains. We might have to watch some travel specials on TV instead of taking tropical vacations. 

And, if we are very lucky, very lucky indeed, we will do so from the warmth within our four walls, on our couches, with our bellies full, snuggled up with those who matter most.

For there are many who look at what we have... and dream. 

For far too many the feeling of a full belly is foreign, a soft, safe, warm place to sleep, a luxurious fantasy. 

So...

While we are pinching pennies, let's be thankful for each and every one.

While we are cursing your peeling paint, let's be thankful for the walls.

While we are stressed and exhausted, let's be thankful for our soft, warm beds.

While we are making do with generic brands, let's be thankful for the plateful.

While we make do with whatever we've got, let's remember to just be grateful.