This year the festive season brought many mixed emotions for us all with my eldest now living with her Dad this would be the first Christmas in 14 years that I would not see her nor would I be ‘Santa’ and the run up to the festive season brought many secret tears.
However knowing this is what she wanted and finally coming to terms with that a few weeks ago, did help massively with getting on with it and planning for this Christmas so I could keep myself busy.
Our festive season started really early this year when we visited the Drayton Manor Christmas event and it really got us into the mood for Christmas with its beautifully kitted out castle for Santa visits and the especially cold day.
We also go to visit Santa a second time when we went with my parents in law to Floralands garden centre which was followed up with a wonderful meal.
This year we also had the biggest Christmas tree I had ever seen as we reviewed a tree from Pines and Needles that arrived on the 1st December and is still going strong! it smelt amazing and really helped keeping a festive season going in our house this year … I fear next years tree might never live up to this one so we will certainly have to look at investing in another!
I was really emotional this year watching my little guy perform in the choir in the school nativity play this year and although I managed to stave off tears I know my parents were also equally as thrilled to get to see his performance and his smiling face on that stage too!
We even had 2 Christmas dinners this year, with one at our house for my side of the family on the 16th that my Sister helped me prep and cook (did I say help *cough cough* what I mean is she practically did on her own as I just really attended)
With Christmas Day it brought our second Christmas meal and my Mother in Law cooking for us instead and morning visits from my parents then over to the Olivers where we also got to see Ollie’s sisters and their families and Children before they headed off out for meals and we had a quite meal with his parents (thank you Jean it was delicious)
Christmas evening consisted of keeping Joshua calm since the sickness bug had taken hold of him so it was a quiet evening followed by some telly time!
The following days since Christmas Day have involved many hours watching films and spending time together which has been amazing since I am in fact 8 months pregnant!
Although this year I was sad that we were one member of the family absent, those people who have been part of our Christmas 2015 have been amazing and really helped me keep positive and enjoy what could have been a difficult time.
I think focussing on what was good as opposed to what could have been bad really will be my mantra going forward into the new year.
I had children absent (for different reasons) this year too and also found it quite emotional. Like you though I managed to have nice Christmas. Love the pictures – Joshua is really growing up!
aww honey, biggest hugs to you too! its so hard isn’t it! .. glad you managed to have a nice time too lovely x
Oh it must have been hard. I find it difficult if I don’t spend it with my parents! But you have the right attitude and can’t believe it is nearly time for you to have a baby!
Sounds like you had a lovely family christmas even if you were one family member down. A few days chilling out and watching movies must have been just what you needed now you’re so far through your pregnancy! #MagicMoments
Looks like you’ve had a wonderful and busy Christmas; you’re right in saying focusing on the positives instead of thinking of the negatives put a whole new perspective on the day, doesn’t it? The pictures you’ve shared as so lovely! Your little boy is growing up to be such a lovely young man 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing, Jaime! Hope you’ve had a fantastic weekend, and you’re having a great start to your week!
I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for you but focussing on the positives and the happy memories that you did have is amazing. I’m glad you are coming to terms with it all a bit now. Not long until the baby is here too!
Aww it must’ve been so difficult without her there but it sounds as if you stayed string and enjoyed the festivities! Love that tree it’s gorgeous – and I was at the Drayton Manor Christmas event too… wish I’d known you were there! That day was blummin freezing wasn’t it?! xx