I had plans. Perfect plans (so I thought) to start my holiday decorating and have a very productive day. We had just gotten our living room back to order after some renovation projects had finished. I was ready to start cleaning, organizing, and getting my house back to normal. The gingerbread kits that we had purchased the day before, were at the foremost of my little guy's minds. They wanted to decorate gingerbread houses! "Oh please mommy can we make them today?" "Can we?"

I pondered for a few minutes, but without a doubt knew I needed to give up on perfect. Perfect ideas and perfect plans that really aren't always the best, but just goals of my own making. I decided to drop all my expectations of the day and spend time making gingerbread houses with the kids. It was pouring rain outside and in reality was a perfect day for doing something fun with the boys. My 16-year-old had finished his early morning classes, and even he wanted to join in on the fun. This was a moment that needed to be seized!

We made a mess, with frosting and sugar-coated fingers...

We were sticky and messy. We had coconut and candy beads all over the place.

The kids then played in tree boxes. Twin boxes for twin boys.

I loved watching my kids play and use their imagination.

They waddled around the room being robots!

Meanwhile, my teenager got in on the act and finished one of the houses adorned with a layered chocolate shingle roof. The younger ones had given up by now, and were on sugar overload.

After we were finished and I recovered cleaning up remnants of the candy creations, we had fun admiring our work. It turned out to be one of the best days I have had in a long time. Delighting in my kids and enjoying special memories, laughter, and stickiness together.

All because I decided that day to give up on perfect!

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:20-22

Maybe you are like me, and make plans and your "perfect" idea of how you want Christmas festivities to play out in the next few days. I have to remind myself to breathe and relax in the moments of this holiday week ahead. I have to leave room in my schedule to throw caution to wind if necessary, and embrace the best that Christmas has to offer. May we all learn to give up perfect plans to find peace on earth.

Merry Christmas!

Denise at Denise In Bloom