I do this every year. I get overwhelmed by Christmas–to the point of breakdown,–and I write lots of blogs in my head but cannot find the time to sit down at a computer. I feel like I start earlier every year and STILL never have enough time. A lot of the problem is that I’ve tried to go handmade for all the girls in my family the last couple of years. I can’t wait to show you pictures of the some of the finished products, but would you believe that I have not completed these projects that I started a YEAR AND A HALF ago?! They were supposed to be given last Christmas, have now been deferred to this Christmas, and Jeremiah looked at me a couple days ago and said, “Step away from that needle {I am embroidering, not doing drugs in case anybody is worried :)} and go buy however many presents you haven’t finished. You can give them the finished projects whenever they’re done, but I can’t live with you being the Grinch any longer.”
It’s sad. I really, really love embroidering. I love thinking about and praying for the gift’s recipient as I stitch away. I love the sea of color choices and deciding on just the right combination each time. I love watching a project go from nothing to something finished (since there are so few things in my life as a Mom that are ever finished). I love the order provided by each little stitch paired with the creativity of the whole picture. I love the books on CD I listen to as I work…I JUST HATE HOW SLOW I AM AND HOW FEW HOURS ARE IN A DAY!
And now, as though I were not struggling enough, I fell this weekend and broke my butt. No really, you read correctly. It feels like my tail bone is shattered into a million tiny pieces–even though Jeremiah won’t let me go to the ER and get an X-ray to prove just how seriously injured I am, because he says there’s nothing anybody can do about it even if it is shattered. “Do you want me to make you a butt cast?” He’s offered several times, with much too much of a smile.
It happened this weekend in Leavenworth (which is where all these pictures were taken). We went for the town lighting ceremony, a little sledding, and some hot chocolate.
I was staying safe, taking pictures on the sidelines, when baby girl Dapples got cold and wanted to be held by her Mommy. My strong-willed child so rarely wants to be cuddled, that I jumped at the opportunity–even with slick cowboy boots, standing on ice, with a camera around my neck. As I took a cautious step down a very tiny but icey hill, both feet went straight into the air and my arms gripped Dapples more tightly instead of breaking my fall. My coccyx took the brunt of it all, and I am truly wondering if I’ll ever walk, sit, or lie down comfortably again. It happened Sunday evening, and on Monday morning the pain was so bad, I passed out twice just trying to get out of bed. I am not kidding–and I’ve never passed out in my life. Take care of your butt. It seems pretty useless until you can’t use it 🙂
Fortunately, Jeremiah’s best friend Tommy has been here visiting us. Bless his heart, he came for a manly adventure in Washington and yesterday he went to the grocery store, cleaned my house, and entertained my children for much of the day. I love you Tommy Tolleson!
I hope I’ll be back soon, but considering how bad it has hurt to sit and write this post, I’m not making any promises. I’ll leave you with our Christmas card. The front picture is from the Christmas tree cutting adventure and the back picture is the girls’ awe at waking to find the city covered in snow.
Designed by Whitney–my best friend since second grade. If you’d like to order from her next year, give me your email and I’ll pass it on to her. Thanks Wee!! We love them!
MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS BLOG FRIENDS!!!
Abby, your pictures are gorgeous, as usual!!! That place looks absolutely darling! I am so sorry you busted your butt. I hope it heals soon. Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!
Oh, I'm so sorry you are in pain. I will pray for you. Yes, the holiday's can take their toll but we gals do love all the little things that make it special for our families. Can I just say that your pictures are like something you see in movies…each one could be a Christmas card! You could really make a wonderful calendar for your family next year with all the seasons and holiday photo's you are taking. A Very Merry Christmas to the Maddox family.
Precious Christmas card!!
Bless your butt! I can imagine how uncomfortable that would be!
Pictures are beautiful as always!
Next time you are going to Leavenworth, drop by our site first to see what is happening in town. We've built a site with a whimsical tone from a tourist's point of view. We have a blog of our travels and things we've found there that we like.
Visit us at http://www.AccidentalBavarian.com
cute christmas card! and I am so going back to Leavenworth someday. I used to go there when I was a little girl to christmas shop. oh how wonderful. thanks for reminding me of its beauty!
Merry Christmas to you, Abby! Hope your rear end heals up soon. How miserable! Thanks for the beautiful peek into your life.
I KNOW your pain! I have cracked/broken my butt bone twice in my short 21 year lifetime, and it's a pain that cannot be described!! Hope you get to feeling better soon!
So much fun! The card is precious! I'll be praying about that whole butt thing (Ha! That was hilarious to type). Had some tailbone issues of my own during and after my third pregnancy. Took over a year to recover from and I still sit on a doughnut thingy when I drive…ouch….she's 2….not sure it will ever repair itself. So anyhoo, I feel your pain and I'll definitely be giving you a shout out tonight!
Looks beautiful there! Holiday greetings from the Snow family in "Snow"less Alabama!
Hope you heal quiclky! My mom says that she broke her tailbone once when she was young and it hurt really, really bad. I can only imagine! Hang in there and we will pray that it goes away soon. Love your pictures as always and your Christmas card is so cute! Merry Christmas from Belize!!! Love, Amie
Hey! I made the blog! That was a great day, well right up to the point you fell. So sorry you are still in pain. Funny I took a lot of those same photos and the colors are no where near as vibrant as yours.
Tommy was great fun to hang with. Let me know if you Ned any help after he leaves.
Your poor booty! I can only imagine what that must feel like! Merriest Christmas to you and your beautiful family!
Sorry you're in such pain! I've heard that is AWFUL! Beautiful photos of a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing with us from your heart! Merry Christmas!
oh my! I just read this after I got your e-mail just now and I saw that you really DID break your butt! I thought you were just kiddin! You poor thing! Wish I knew what to tell you. I guess just sit on a comfy cushion and embroider away! love and hugs sweet Abbs!!!
Merry Christmas to all the Maddox family….Love your PIC's you posted. Almost makes me want to return to Seattle! This winter we are in Hawaii…Army life is something…you never know where you will spend the next Chistmas! We did two in Seattle, and I think…I like surfing this week MUCH better! :O) I hope your tail-bone is on the mends. OUCH!!! Be very careful on that snow and ice stuff. I never did learn to walk in it. Love, peace, joy, and all of Gods Blessings I am wishing for each of you this Holy Season. Make it the best Christmas ever.
OMGosh this is terrible news about your slip and fall I fear it could be a disc injury. I have heard stories of letter carriers injuring their backs –slipping down stairs please find out that you are indeed on the road to recovery == could yoga in some way or acupuncture aid in the pain management. will santa bring you a perfect pair of snow boots and a beautiful GAP wool coat to cover your bum in the wintertime thank goodness for the internet he can shop on line
I empathize with your injury – I fell on my stairs last year and landed really hard on the tailbone – thought it was broken. I actually did get it x-rayed b/c it was still so painful several months later. I tried accupuncture – unfortunately it didn't do anything for me (I had accupuncture for headaches before and that HAD helped, so I was willing to try anything b/c the pain was so bad). One of the donut pillows may help ~ otherwise, I found I had to sit leaning on one butt cheek or the other for quite awhile ~ you're right, you don't appreciate your butt until it's injured 🙂
Oh what a "PAIN IN THE BUTT" *pun intended a tailbone injury can cause! I fell once and injured my tailbone and its has got to be one of the worst pains imaginable! Wishing you a speedy recovery!
The Christmas card is just adorable!!