Dec 26, 2014

No Christmas at our House

This Christmas came and went so fast. I don't really mind though since we weren't all together. Our two oldest children are now living Stateside and we only have our 17 year old here with us. This is her last year and it was tougher than I thought it would be.

In general I'm not a very emotional person. I actually try very hard not to be a crier. I know it's all healthy and we should let emotions out but somewhere along the way I equated crying with weakness. I know it's not weakness and I never feel that way when others cry but when I cry I feel out of control and so I do my best not to if I can help it.

Anyhow, we were all busy getting ready for Christmas dinner and then while standing at the sink I realized this was my last year with my daughter. I hadn't thought that deeply into it until now and before I knew it I was crying. Are you kidding me! I hate crying! Here I was on Christmas, the happiest day of the year and I was whimpering an trying to figure out how to stop it. There I sit realizing I wasn't doing so well with this impending empty nest after all. Evidently, because of the spill of tears, my daughter's leaving was harder on me than I realized.

So the crying wasn't fun, but with all the consoling we came to a conclusion. This is our last Christmas here!! I mean, who wants to wake up to Christmas morning without children anyhow. What's Christmas morning without kids tearing up paper and squealing with delite over the hoped-for gift? The Christmas morning part of our American tradition of Christmas is for children. So what do you do if you're used to having children around and all of the sudden they leave? You travel!! We decided yesterday while drying tears that maybe things need to change now. Since all the other parts of our life are changing we might as well change the Christmas traditions around here too. So we're planning to save up and take a small trip for Christmas somewhere here in Europe. We're so close to everything and it will be nice to be away for Christmas next year. No cooking Christmas dinner for two or having to wake up Christmas morning to an empty house.

Don't get me wrong, we will celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our dear Lord Jesus at Christmas and all year long. But, I'm super excited about our future trips. I love my husband way too much and enjoy every moment we spend together so the idea of traveling and experiencing Christmas together is amazing.

So here's my short list! It's actually a list of Christmas markets around Europe. We've seen the Vienna Christmas markets and they were amazing. So why not see more.

1. Paris, France

2. Cologne, Germany

 3. Prague, Czech Republic

If you loved these you can see a list of the top 10 Christmas markets around Europe here at Europe's Best Destinations.

Anyhow, how all that crying got me fantasy trips around Europe, I'm not sure but I'm glad it did. I'm still going to miss my kids like crazy but it'll be much more bearable while having a ball than it would be otherwise.

Bring on Christmas 2015!!! I'm ready!

siggy

24 comments:

  1. Tori, that sounds like a wonderful plan - traveling for Christmas. I learned awhile ago that some Christmas traditions just don't work when the family situation is so different. I'm glad you had a good Christmas with your youngest!

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    1. Thanks Melanie, I'm learning to go with the flow. Hope you have a great rest of the 2014!

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  2. That sounds like a good plan to me Tori!!

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  3. Anonymous3:46 PM

    What if you traveled and your children traveled to one of these locations and enjoyed Christmas away - together? I'm glad you are working to cope with the changes.

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    1. Nikki, that would be ideal but with us in Eastern Europe and them in Texas, finances make it impossible but it would be awesome!

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    2. Anonymous5:25 AM

      Ah, yes, the finance thing :-( Maybe, some day, the finances and circumstances will work out for all of you to be together somewhere fun.

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  4. Like others said, I think it is a great idea! New traditions to be started and what fun in the planning!

    betty

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  5. I love this idea! We are planning on a Christmas trip next year or the year after, if nothing happens, because we want our son to have a special memory of Christmas without all the commercial influences.

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    1. Lori, That sounds like a great idea. Where are you planning on going to escape the commercialism?

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  6. I am a huge crier! I get emotional now thinking of my kids leaving and I have at least 7 years! <3 Thanks for checking up on me!!!!!!

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    1. Kristy, you have time so don't even entertain the thought now. Also you're very welcome friend!!

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  7. The empty nest thing turned out to be a lot harder than I thought it would be. But hey! I've made it through my first year now, so it ought to get easier.

    I love your idea of Christmas trips! What a great way to turn a negative into a positive!

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  8. Anonymous3:52 PM

    Not even close to that stage here....but I'm sure I'll be a hot mess when it comes!

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  9. I can totally understand your need to cry, dear Tori. My little one is only 6-years-old, but I know that day will come sooner than later and I have an idea I will be crying too.

    Hugs to you, sweet lady!

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  10. I don't even want to think of that yet, but the day is coming. Your photos are lovely.

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  11. What a great plan. The only thing to make it better would b to take me! I'm really no trouble at all. 😊

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    1. You're more than welcome but you'll have to get your own hotel room! :0)

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  12. Sweet (((hugs))). I love the approach you plan to create memories in the future. May they be soothing balm to those tender heart moments.

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  13. Such exciting plans! And so many wonderful places to visit! Sending Happy New Years wishes to you!

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  14. It sounds like you came up with a lovely solution to adapting to changes and enjoying where you are. What beautiful plans!

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  15. What a great idea! How exciting to be able to travel and see places you haven't seen before!

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  16. Cry, cry, cry, that's what you made me do remembering back!!! Praise the Lord that He supplied every year for Christa could come home to the mission field. God knew that since He had one of our children with Him, it was important for this mom to have her only child with her!! Great post!!!

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  17. Sounds like a fun idea. I'd be tempted to go that route too if I were a missionary on the field. I've been an empty nester for awhile now but this was our first Christmas completely alone on the morning. Bob and I exchanged gifts on Christmas eve and got up at 3 am to drive the 6 hrs to mo to be with family including our daughter and son in law. We didn't get to see our son but will asap and definitely when our granddaughter arrives.

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  18. Anonymous2:25 AM

    I know what you mean. Thinking of all the "lasts" was a lot harder for me than when they actually did leave the nest. Though we miss them, it's funny how quickly we adjust and enjoy the perks that come with an empty nest - like traveling. :-) I don't like to travel myself - my stomach has issues when I do - but my husband would love to see some of those places.Your traveling sounds like a great plan for the two of you. So far our kids have been able to be home all but a couple of Christmases. I am thankful and I don't take that for granted - I know that once they are adults that could all change at any time.

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