Hey all!! Turkey day is tomorrow so I just wanted to drop a few notes in here. I want you to really enjoy your thanksgiving day this year. One way you can do this is to set boundaries when it comes to your emotional and mental health. Holidays, although fun can be very stressful -before, during and after the celebration. I know that being around lots of people for some is ideal. Although there are others who will suffer through a celebration with too many stimuli simply to make others happy. Remember when you are in a situation that you are stressed in, you can walk away with love ( as my Deacon taught me :)). This is not an easy thing to do ,but it will preserve your mental health, and in the long run preserve your close relationships.
If you are like me, I thought I knew how it would be at holidays with kids. You know the whole magical scene! That will not happen!! Your child will probably get food or have a blowout, all over that really cute outfit you got just for that day somewhere around the 15 minute mark. Remember it as a cute and hilarious memory that you will treasure for a long time. Just put them in a different outfit and carry on with your day. Do not let this ruin your day. Do not get mad at the child for having fun. Simply take a breath, laugh, get a hilarious photo and move on. Overcooked the turkey? Well just pour some more gravy or cranberry sauce over it. No big deal!
Know that its Ok if you are not OK. Talk with someone, have some alone time, go for a walk, ask someone to chill with the kids for 20 minutes and take a nap. Do whatever you need to do to help yourself feel better, no matter what is going on at that time. If all else fails and you are in a crisis you can call 911, in Iowa you can call 988, or you can go to the nearest ER for help.
I hope you can embrace the chaos, smile, and take care of yourself! You got this!!
I also pray you have a Captain America to bake with you too!! Although we got flour, butter, and sugar everywhere, we had lots of fun!
-Kristy
“be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances”
Summary of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18