Advent: Day ??? Is Christmas over yet??

So the plan was to do 25 gifts to Jesus as we were anticipating the birth of Jesus.  We messed up on Days 3 and 4 by not getting the number to the food bank.  Now we have the number, but they are only open at certain times (we don't know what the hours are) so we keep calling at random times....with no answer.

Then we failed to help Daddy in the yard the next weekend.  This past weekend family came in, and therefore we didn't do one gift to Jesus that was planned.  We're leaving the gifts on the Advent Calendar when we don't do it, so we can double up on a day that is slow or continue until they are finished after Christmas. 

I'm realizing that maybe next year weekends aren't good days to do a gift that requires too much-- we just aren't as disciplined on the weekends since Daddy's home.

Yesterday was a fun parenting day-- (sarcasm).  My children took turns throwing tantrums-- my favorite was when we went to the mall to try to finish up the last little bit of my Christmas shopping, and my oldest gets completely upset in JCPenney's.  He starts screaming and hollering oblivious to other people around us and starts pulling at my back pants pockets.  My jeans are a little loose, and I just KNOW my pants are going to be at my ankles before all of this is done.  I take him to the bathroom to handle the situation, and it's full of people.  So, we walk across the entire mall (because I'm parked on the other side of the mall from where JCPenney's is--of course!)  and I'm just praying my pants don't go all the way down and I'm boiling mad.  I get to see a few people I know (hello, pride!) on the way to the car.  I handle the situation, take him home, and put him to bed.  I sat there and wondered HOW all of this could be.  I realized, due to the Christmas "break" from our regular schedule--- and the lack of sleep from visiting family-- my child is on a roller coaster of emotions!!  To be honest, I'm ready to join him!

I feel better on a schedule, and obviously my child is the same.  So I can not wait to be back to business as usual.  I'm going to re-think Advent next year---still focus on giving gifts to Jesus, but maybe not be so relaxed on the schedule.  I don't know, I have a year to pray about it and see how it goes.

Today is a new day, and thats what I'm trying to focus on.  We have something fun planned, but it will be at home-- I also plan on being more on our regular schedule today and pray these two things will help!