Merry Christmas

Posted on by rootedmama
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21 Days of Christmas: Day 1

Posted on by rootedmama

The idea of 21 Days of Christmas is to spread love and hope during a season when others may be feeling less than festive.

Spreading the love and being the hands-and-feet of Jesus, could very well bring joy to someone’s life.

Today, as you begin preparing for the Holiday season, do something kind.

Open the door for a stranger. Give someone walking by a smile. Tell someone at work how they have impacted you.

Family Traditions

Posted on by rootedmama

This time of year, I start reminiscing on the fall and winter traditions we have.

In October, we celebrate birthdays. We dress up on Halloween. We carve pumpkins. Some years, we go trick-or-treating, other years, we go to fall festivals. But, we always dress up on Halloween.

In November and December, we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. No matter where we are, or who we are celebrating with, we always try to do something fun together, as a family. A lot of times, this includes glow stick dance parties at night. Or just extra family movie nights, watching holiday movies.

I’ve learned that no matter what- it’s important to add in some fun!

What are some holidays you celebrate? What traditions do you have?

21 Days of Christmas: Day 4

Posted on by rootedmama

Our acts of kindness and compassion can bring hope to other people, chipping away at the anger and hardness in their hearts.

People go through so much. Often times, people need just a little bit of grace and love.

All too often, we are reallly hard on people on social media. Hiding behind the screen, it’s easy to call people trolls and snowflakes.

But, what if, we just kept on scrolling. People spend hours a day arguing with strangers on the internet. And I truly don’t understand why. I can guarantee that arguing with each other on social media isn’t going to change anyone’s mind.

So, for Day 4- let’s bypass that strangers comment. Just keep on scrolling if we disagree- or at least be kind in our conversations with strangers on the internet.

After all, we don’t know what other people are going or have been through. They just may need an extra dose of kindness today!

December!!!

Posted on by rootedmama

I’m not really sure how we are already over a week into December. . . And, I just wanted to send well wishes out to you all!! I hope that you are receiving joy, hope, and love. That you see light in the world.

It seems like there are a lot of people who need to feel the love.

A lot of people going through tough times.

And, I know, I know- that’s honestly been the theme of 2020. It’s been a tough year for all.

Through these types of seasons- It’s easy to get stuck inside our own thoughts and our own problems. What if we saw the opportunity in this last month, of this ridiculously hard year to spend each day, of the rest of the year gifting love, compassion, and kindness.

And then, carried it over into next year!

That’s what this season is about!

It takes 21 days to make a habit. So. Let’s take 21 days of Christmas, and give the gift of love, compassion, and kindness. Let’s show up, and come together. Let’s show up, and show the people in our world love.

Stay tuned.

Perfection

Posted on by rootedmama

Tonight, my husband and I were talking. We had just gotten back from having supper with my sister and her family, the kids were playing in their room, and we were just chatting on the sofa.

We were talking about the delicious meal my hubby had just made, and I was encouraging him to do something with his skills. Be a chef? Make how-to cooking videos on YouTube? Idk! Something!

And, the conversation took a turn, “I want to make sure I have some good recipes before I did anything like that!” Referring to the YouTube videos. “I mean, I don’t want to do something where ya make the sauce, and just pour in the noodles”. He looked at me, and laughed.

Now, if you know anything about me. . .this story has probably come up at least once:

When my husband and I were dating, in high school, we had a celebration coming up. I can’t remember if it was a 2nd anniversary, a birthday, Valentines, or what. I do remember; however, that I wanted to make him his favorite meal. Fettuccine Alfredo. I was making the alfredo sauce from scratch. And.it.had.to.be.perfect.

Now, up until this time, I think the only thing I’d made for myself was ramen noodles. No following recipes. Nothing. Let’s keep in mind, also, that I was probably 17 or 18, at the time.

So, I go to make his favorite meal. I don’t remember the exact recipe, but I do remember what it stated after making the sauce: add noodles.

Y’all! I took the noodles, straight outta the box- and dumped them in the sauce. And.they.would.not.cook. I did not realize, at the time, that first I needed to cook the noodles in boiling water BEFORE I added the noodles to the sauce.

I lost it. I cried. I was so upset.

We had to go back to the store, and I had to get all the things to make the whole meal, again.

And that’s me in a nutshell. I get this big idea in my head, it has to go perfectly, and when it doesn’t I get really down on myself. I feel like a failure. All the things.

Tonight, I laughed about that story and my husband’s reference to a YouTube video coming out like that it experience. It’s funny. I shake my head and laugh at the memory.

Over the years, I’ve had to lower my expectations. I’ve had to learn how to: just keep it simple and not over do it, to laugh and not take life so seriously, and most importantly to let go of the idea of perfection.

So, going into this Holiday Season- this year of all years. Imagine my 17 year old self making fettuccine Alfredo by putting raw noodles in the sauce. Laugh a little, and remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect. Keep it simple. Make some fun memories.