I like to do little mini-newsletters with just a few highlights from the year on the back of a postcard. I love listing out exciting events and accomplishments and looking back at our awesome year, every year.
But not this year. While I was working on the newsletter half of the postcard, I slammed my laptop shut and told Matt that we weren't going to do Christmas cards this year, because it was too depressing. Because on paper, his year sounded awesome (doctorate! employment!), and mine basically sounded like I have nothing good going on in my life (ate a lot of ice cream! has no job!).
And I realized that my life doesn't really "sum up" that well.
Because how do you describe the goals you've been working towards all year but haven't completed yet? How do you tell people about the little things that filled you with so much excitement, but don't fit into that newsletter mold, the Jobs-Kids-Travel trifecta that the people you only talk to a few times a year want to know?
Maybe I don't have big things going on in my life right now. Maybe I just have an extraordinary amount of small things going on, because I strive to find those small things and actually DO them. Especially when it seems like some of the bigger things are out of reach for the time being. Most of the time, I feel like my life is pretty great. Who is to say that those small things aren't as important as the big, newsletter-worthy things?
Who is to say that a small life isn't as good or interesting as one in which big milestones were reached?
We're still doing Christmas cards. But now they just list our new address, with love. I don't want to condense myself anymore.
Are you doing Christmas cards this year? How would you sum up YOUR year?
P.S. That photo? From our first snow this year, during the week of Thanksgiving, while my mom was here visiting. It snowed about five inches. Mom took our Christmas card photo, and then the three of us played outside for a little while. This face was when I realized that snow had gone down the back of my pants.
whenever i get frustrated that i'm only doing 'small things' i remind myself to 'do small things with great love.' in my mind, putting effort and attention into things that are sometimes overlooked *is* a big thing <3
ReplyDeleteHey, you guys are part of a team... don't forget! Maybe Matt got the new job, but you guys both moved together and that's big! Taking new steps in cold-land territory. It's pretty life-changing! Personally, if it were my family... I'd want to hear about the small things too. Sometimes when you don't hear from people that often, it would be nice to hear about the small, tiny victories, because that's what makes up life! :)
ReplyDeleteWow you are tall! never noticed on the other pics!
ReplyDeleteHS
Everyone has said things that are absolutely correct, and you had a huge year. A move is a big thing, plus everything that went along with it. You held down the fort for a long time, and you have nothing to be embarrassed about. I think Christmas card newsletters are kind of like blog posts, and we want to show the very best of ourselves. I struggle with Christmas cards since I had children. It's hard to get a good picture of my boys, and last year, I didn't even send cards. This year, I'm just sending plain cards without pictures and it's stress-free.
ReplyDeleteOur year: house house house house house. The buying, the moving, the unpacking, the fixing. All house, all year. But I agree with previous comments: don't sell yourself short. All those little things add up, and you provided invaluable to support to Matt as he finished his degree :)
ReplyDeleteAw, I love that photo of you. So cute! And the "small" things matter and moving to a new place is a huge thing. Like Katie said, I bet people want to know about your "small" things too. (Btw: eating a lot of icecream is awesome...you're inspiring me to do my own icecream challenge, like try all the Ben and Jerry's flavors).
ReplyDeleteI love that!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I just need to include a blog link on our cards! ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I ended up doing personal cards last year, only business ones. Which is why I still have a billion lime green envelopes, and they're getting used even though they don't match at all!
ReplyDeleteMy in-laws do a long-form letter every year, but I'm pretty sure my parents have never ever sent out cards. It's funny to me how people continue to send cards to people they haven't actually seen in 20-30 years! Their address lists must be enormous.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you just have to do the less stressful thing and move on!
ReplyDeleteIs the house complete now? Or will there be more house house house in 2015? :)
ReplyDeleteDO IT! I've only had Ben and Jerry's a couple of times, but they have so many unique flavors (with fun names!) that I bet it would be an awesome challenge.
ReplyDeleteHa! And THAT'S how you do it! I kind of hope you'll post it on your blog now…
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