Let People Help You

Last week was, shall we say, not the best.

I mentioned in a previous post that I had the flu last week, which I don't think I've had before and it was so awful. I don't know if it was more the flu itself or the fact that I was 37 weeks pregnant or a combination (probably a combination), but I felt completely miserable.

While that was going on, Jordan got whipped in the eye with a giant piece of wire at work and had to go to the emergency room and then see an eye doctor. For two days he couldn't see, and I had to lead him around the house like he was a blind person. I got cold rags for his eye and gave him his antibiotic drops, and I had the flu, so it's not like I was feeling 100% myself. A few people told me that they were surprised how well I was taking it, but honestly I  just kept laughing because it was so ridiculous.

R also spent a full day throwing up on Wednesday, and once was in the car with me when I was headed home from picking up my Tamiflu prescription. I think it was a random virus thing, and she was okay the next day, but I called my mom in actual hysterics while R was sitting in the backseat covered in vomit. That part I did not laugh about. I think we can all agree that vomit is never funny.

My personality is not one to suffer silently. I texted our family and friends about me having the flu and R throwing up and Jordan's eye, and I asked for prayer and vented because I'm a verbal processor and not an entirely private person. Some people are not those things, and it's uncomfortable for them to let others know when they are having a hard time. Neither way is wrong, just different, and to be honest I sometimes wonder if people think of me as a dramatic person or annoying for being so outgoing and open.

Jordan and I are extremely blessed with a really supportive and loving community. I know not everyone has that, and it's something I try not to take for granted. Jordan's mom was immediately open to helping out, taking the kids to stay at their house so they could hopefully avoid catching the flu from me. She drove Jordan to his eye doctor appointment because he couldn't drive himself, and I was still contagious and didn't feel like getting out of the house even if I could have.

Friends texted and asked what they could do for us. I had someone drop off a vanilla shake (totally hit the spot because my throat was aching so bad from all the coughing); another friend brought over a frozen lasagna and two cans of soup (so awesome because for a few days the sinus pressure made my jaw lock up and I could hardly open my mouth to chew anything). Another friend brought over some Gatorade (which Jordan and I both enjoyed since I was tired of just drinking water). Jordan's mom picked up a few things at the store for us and brought us leftover chicken tacos she'd made for dinner.

Gift giving is my top love language. I love sending mail, thinking of the perfect present for birthdays and Christmas, and showing people I'm thinking about them with the offer of a gift, big or small. I'm not in any way trying to pat myself on the back or ask for praise. I'm just saying that for me, gifts are  a way I love others, and receiving gifts is a way I feel loved myself.

I've found over the years that it can sometimes be hard to get people to accept help. I definitely think it helps to be specific (when this week can I bring you dinner? is much better than an ambiguous let me know if you need dinner.), but even then, people often say no. And as the person reaching out, this makes me sad! I'm asking because I do want to help. I want to bring you something. I want to make you feel loved and supported. When people say no, I think, Just let me do something, anything! 

But after last week, I have to say, I get it.

It's not uncommon to set up a meal train after someone has a baby or offer to bring a meal when someone comes home from the hospital after having surgery. That seems worthy of attention. But, honestly, I felt silly having a friend bring me a shake or soup just because I was sick. I felt like a problem asking Jordan's mom to watch my kids all week or pick him up to take him to the doctor. I felt like a whiner telling my friends about how bad I was feeling and how worried I was about Jordan's eye (he's mostly recovered! such an answer to prayer!).

I was so, so grateful for the support, but I felt like I was just being a problem.

I realized that's probably why people say no when someone offers to help. It's easier to say no than feel like a burden. You convince yourself that they didn't really want to help anyway, that they are just asking to be nice, and that you should be able to handle this on your own.

And sure, I could have handled last week on my own. I wasn't going to die if I didn't have a vanilla shake. I have things in my house I could have eaten other than soup. I could have gotten out and driven Jordan to the eye doctor by myself if there was no one else around. I technically didn't "need" anyone's help, but I'm glad I said yes.

Let people help you. That's what I learned last week.

It's vulnerable and awkward, but it also builds friendships and inspires community. Life isn't always easy, but I think we often make it harder than it has to be because we aren't always great at asking for or accepting help. 

There's a balance, of course. I don't want to be (I hope I'm not) the kind of person, the kind of friend, who is always complaining and negative about everything. We are all struggling, and we shouldn't be a burden to others by constantly asking for help over and over again. 

But it's okay that sometimes it's just nice when someone stops by with a can of Campbell's soup and a bar of chocolate. It doesn't mean you're failing at life. It just means that you're sick and soup sounds really good and you don't happen to have any in your house.

Link Love (The Yes, it's Another Gift Guide! Edition)

Today marks two weeks until Christmas. I repeat: two weeks, people! I'm sure you've all realized by now that bloggers everywhere love to share 8,000 gift guides for even the most unassuming holiday. Obviously you know we get money when you click on the links we share, and in my case that means literal cents. Seeing as how I made a special trip back to the grocery store to return a $3 bottle of chocolate syrup we didn't need (because I found an unopened one hidden in the pantry), I take even the smallest change seriously! So thank you for indulging me in the following list of gifts that I've either already bought or have on my list this year. Maybe you will find something you love too!

*If you do not already have a charity to support through Amazon Smile, please consider Dare to Serve, which is the nonprofit my dad runs that serves primarily underprivileged high schoolers in North Texas.

For the Kids

River Stones

I bought these for the kids as their main present, and I'm so excited. Someone shared them on a Facebook group I'm in, and I knew immediately that R would love them. She has started lining her books up to hop from one to the other, which is problematic for a few reasons, one of which is obviously that she's not allowed to step on her books! These river stones seem super fun and have some great reviews. I will say, though, that I'm confused about the price. I originally was going to get these for $60, but then I found these for $30, so I bought them instead. But when I was finding links for this post, it looks like the ones I bought are not that cheap now, so I don't know if I found them on sale or what. So, in conclusion, these now appear to be cheaper, though they are not the exact ones I bought. Sorry if that was way more information than you wanted.

Jump Rope

I think this would be a really fun outside toy! We were over at a friend's house, and their daughter had a jump rope, and R loved played with it. I love the Green Toys brand also. Fun stocking stuffer!

Elephant & Piggy Books

I friend recommended these, and I had never heard of them! But they look fun.

Color Wonder Coloring Books

R loves these no-mess coloring books. I got a few for her and think they will be good to save for car rides to Texas.

Veggie Tales Season on DVD

I bought this for R! You can get full seasons of the original Veggie Tales episodes on DVD. She loves Veggie Tales, and let's be honest, I do too ;)

Stamp Set

R has a smaller set of these Melissa & Doug stamps and loves them, and I've put more stamps/stickers/painting supplies on her list this year.

Natural Play Dough

I have been eyeing this sparkly, natural play dough for a while. I love that it's non-toxic and think it looks like a fun stocking stuffer.

Water Bottle

R has a water bottle just like this, and J is always trying to steal it, so I'm going to get J one for his stocking this year.

Card Games

R has been asking to play games lately, so I bought her a set of Go Fish for her stocking. Love this set too!

For Me

Cookie Cookbook

This cookbook from America's Test Kitchen in on my list! I love making cookies!

iPhone Case

I've had my iPhone for almost 4 years, and my case is finally starting to fall apart, so I asked for a new one of the same brand as I currently have since it's seemed to hold up well for a long time and kept my phone in tact when I've dropped it. No cracked screens over here!

Picture Frames

I asked for some pictures frames of various sizes so I can hang/display the cute pics I've been taking of the kids.

Nativity Figurine

I'd like to get a few of these Willow Tree nativity figures to display during Christmastime, so that's on my list.

Art Portfolios

I guess these are really for the kids... or maybe they are for me ;) I saw these recommended (again on a Facebook group) for a way to keep kid's art projects and things organized. I love that these can be personalized! Or maybe something simple like this.

Sweatpants

I put comfy sweatpants on my list this year. All of the sweatpants I own are super old, and it would be nice to get a new pair! These look comfy and are currently buy one, get one 50% off!

What's on your Christmas list this year? What's one present you got your kids that you're excited about?

p.s. If you have a book-loving friend or family member, Melissa reached out to me to share a code for 20% off anything in her shop. Use THELADYOKIE20 for 20% off at Literary Book Gifts.

A Million of Those Moments

Happy Monday and happy 2017! Anyone else excited about another day off work? Jordan and I have both been off work since the Friday before Christmas, and it has been so awesome being at home with R and living the stay-at-home life together for a week. The weather has been amazing, and I've taken R to the park 5 days in a row! We went and got donuts together one morning, we've run errands and put away our Christmas stuff and laid around the house doing nothing, and it's just been really nice to not feel for once like I'm rushing from thing to thing. It was the perfect way to end 2016, and I'm very thankful for that time together.

I already shared some pictures from Christmas with R this year, and today for my first post of the new year, I'm recapping Christmas with my family in Texas! On Thursday I have a comparison post reflecting on different areas of my life in 2016 and what I would like to change/adjust/keep the same for 2017, so be sure and come back.

You know those moments when you just stop and take it all in? You look around and think how wonderful life is right in that second? I have those a lot when I'm with my family, and this Christmas weekend was no exception. It not always perfect, and we annoy each other just like any other family does, but really and truly these smiles are real. We had such a lovely couple of days in Texas, and even though it was 60 degrees and didn't really feel or look like Christmas outside, it was a very merry time.

Every year my mom says she's cutting back and then we wake up to this giant pile of presents. As our family has grown and we've added spouses and now a grandchild, the pile just seems to get bigger and bigger! This year and last year we've done the "want, need, wear, read" categories, so each person gets four presents to open and it's fun to see what everyone got. We also draw names so each person has one person to buy a gift for, and we exchange presents the night before. I had my mom this year, an my brother had me!

R was spoiled this year and got some fun presents. Jordan and I were surprised how into it she was. Like I said in my last post, it seemed almost like R's first Christmas this year, since last year she was 4 months old and didn't know what was happening. This year she ripped paper and pulled presents out of boxes and she absolutely loved the baby doll my parents got her. It was cracking me up, but she wanted to carry it around the rest of the day and kept feeing the baby its bottle and saying, "ba ba."

My brother and sister-in-law made R this latch board, which she loved playing with! They painted one end with chalkboard paint, and now she asks me to, "dra dra" all day long. 

She's holding the baby doll's bottle! Cracks me up.

My dad made a very special gift for R this year... he wrote a children's book and had it printed and gave it to her! Since we were little, my dad has told us the story of Falling Rock, which is a story he made up to explain the signs you see along the road that say "watch for falling rock." You might have seen those before too. Well he wrote the story out and I helped him edit it, and he found someone to make illustrations and everything! We all got copies of the book, and it's so fun!

A lot of the gifts this year involved Cubs stuff. Hats and sweatshirts and t-shirts and car decals, and my dad got the Life magazine special Cubs edition. Still celebrating that epic win! 

The weather was super nice, so after lunch we headed outside to play some yard games. We played darts (I am terrible) and wiffle ball, and a game I'd never heard of called Molkky. We played Molkky two times, and the first time I lost pretty bad, as I tend to do with anything involving my brothers. Those jerks beat me at everything. So we started the second game, and I was losing bad again. I had 2 points and everyone else had in the 20s or 30s (the winner is the first person to 50, and just to remind you: I had 2).

Long story short, I ended up staging a huge comeback and was tied for first with Jordan and my brother--all with 45 points each. I was up next, and if I hit the 5, I would win. Everyone was silent watching as I threw, and I knocked over the 5 and I won! It was super exciting, and I immediately ran a victory lap around the yard. R was very confused by why we were all shouting and clapping.

We ate way too much delicious food and Christmas treats, laughed too hard, stayed up too late, and it was all so much fun. I'm very thankful for a family I enjoy spending time with around the holidays. This year definitely had its low moments, but I feel like we're going out on a high note. And not even because I finally beat my brothers at an outdoor game involving skill. 

That's just icing on the cookie ;)

So This Is Christmas

Before I had R, I heard over and over how magical holidays are with kids, specifically Christmas. Last year was R's first Christmas, but she was only four and a half months old and while it was wonderful, this year Jordan and I agreed that we totally understand the magic of Christmas with kids. Honestly, at sixteen months, we still weren't expecting R to be super excited about everything, but she was so much fun. I mentioned in an earlier post how we took her to see the Christmas lights, and she shouted "woah! woah!" the whole time we drove around. Then we took her to North Pole City to pick out our annual Christmas ornament, and she ran around looking at everything.

^^^Jordan's parents gave R this airplane that was Jordan's when he was little.

We are blessed to live close to both sides of our family, so we can celebrate with Jordan's family and mine. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with Jordan's family, and then we left around noon on Christmas day to drive to Texas and spent Sunday and Monday with them before driving home Tuesday. R got a great assortment of gifts and actually played with them and not just the boxes and tissue paper!

We woke up on Christmas morning and opened stockings. We got R a drawing pad, a box of crayons, two food pouches, a three-pack of toddler forks, and a set of ABC flashcards. After stockings, we went to Jordan's parents' house, where we had breakfast and opened gifts! It truly was a magical Christmas this year, and I imagine it will only keep getting more and more fun as R gets older. And next year we will have another stocking to hang and even more fun to be had!

See pictures from Christmas 2015 here.

Easy Father's Day Gift for Dad or Grandpa

Now that Father's Day is over, I wanted to share with you the gift R and I worked on to give Jordan and her grandpas for Father's Day! I couldn't share before, because Jordan and my dad read my blog, and I didn't want to ruin to surprise. 

When I was in Illinois a few weekends ago, my friend Justine showed me this idea that she had found on Pinterest, and I thought it was so cute! We made the sign and posed our babies for these pictures, and then we printed out the photos, got some frames, and wrapped up this super cute Father's Day gift.

It's too late for this year, obviously, but maybe this is something you want to do next year! Although I will warn you that it is ridiculously hard to get a ten-month-old to pose with a sign while looking at the camera. She kept trying to eat or or throw it or crawl on it!

I am so thankful for Jordan and how well he loves us. He truly is my better half, even though sometimes I forget. And I'm thankful for my dad and father-in-law, who light up when R is around and are such wonderful, godly examples of how to be a good father and husband. We are blessed!

Some outtakes for you!

Covered Goods Nursing Cover: Review

I'm really excited to collaborate with Covered Goods to share with you about their awesome nursing covers. They offered me a nursing cover at a discounted rate for me to try and review. There are no affiliate links in this post.

I had previously heard of Covered Goods but never really investigated their covers until a friend of mine showed me hers and told me how much she loved it. I was excited to get mine in the mail and try it out. 

Here is what I love about this nursing cover: it's four products in one! The fabric is soft and stretchy, and you can use this as a nursing cover, infinity scarf, car seat cover, or shopping car cover. I have also used this as a light blanket over R's legs while in the car seat. The genius is that you can wear it as a scarf, and then boom! You're ready for nursing almost instantly. Plus you should already know how much I love scarves.

The top opening around your neck is smaller than the bottom opening, which stretches to go around the baby. I love that it covers all the way around my body so I don't have to worry about my stomach or sides showing if I'm out in public (not that I nurse in public if I don't have to, because I'm still super awkward about it). I feel like it's full coverage, but I can easily peek in and see R if I need to, which is really important to me.

I would absolutely recommend the Covered Goods nursing cover to anyone and think it would make a great gift for a baby shower or for Christmas coming up!

Click here to shop!

10 Things I Like About Myself

Sometimes I wonder why I have any friends. 

I promise I'm not trying to be dramatic or fish for compliments, but for real. There are multiple reasons why I can be a huge pain in the you-know-what, and sometimes I'm just like, Self, you're obnoxious.

We all have our "things." Our unique quirks, annoying habits, and little flaws that make us who we are. But we all have good things too and there are moments when I say to myself, Self, you're great. That's what I'll be talking about today, because I think you guys need a reminder of how awesome I am.

That was a joke. I think.

Anyway, moving on.

10 THINGS I LIKE ABOUT MYSELF

 (Linking up here.)

1. I'm funny.

And it's not just that I think I'm funny (which I do), but other people think I'm funny. It's fun being funny.

2. I'm reliable.

If you ask me to do something or show up somewhere, you can count on me to do it. I don't cancel plans at the last minute. I don't forget to pick someone up at the airport. I always try as best I can to do what I say I'm going to do. It's important to me.

3. I'm low maintenance.

I rarely wear makeup, and I don't spend a lot of time on my hair. I dress casual for the most part. It's not that makeup and hair and fancy clothes are bad things, and it's not that I don't care about how I look, but I like the fact that I can be showered and heading out the door in fifteen minutes if I had to. It's a lot less stressful for everyone.

4. I'm a good writer.

As you already saw, I'm not good with painting or drawing. But I do love words. Not everyone can write well, and while I believe you can learn to write better, I don't know if you can learn to write. I also love that I can write funny. Writing funny is hard, and one of my favorite things is when people tell me they laughed while reading a blog post. 

Is it lame to go back through your old tweets just to laugh and admire your own cleverness?

I'm asking for a friend.

5. I have nice legs.

This is totally vain, but I really love my legs. Thank you, running! I've always been a calf girl. I swoon over a shapely pair of calves.

6. I'm a good cook. 

I'm not going to be a top chef any time soon, but I enjoy cooking, and I like that I can whip up a tasty dish or dessert.

7. I don't procrastinate.

When I decide to do something, I do it immediately. Now, of course this isn't always the case. I procrastinate cleaning the bathroom, for example, but for the most part, I like to get things done. This trait of mine can lead to stress when I am unable to do something at the exact moment I want to do it, but at the end of the day, my motivation to get things done is something I like about myself.

8. I'm good at buying gifts.

I pride myself on buying my friends and family meaningful, thoughtful gifts. Gifts are 100% my love language, and when birthdays and Christmas are concerned, the budget pretty much goes out the window. It's an emotional high when I know I've found just the right thing for someone.

9. I'm easy to talk to.

I'll pretty much talk to anyone. I'm good at making conversation, and I'm good at including other people in the conversations. High five for extroversion!

10. I'm adventurous.

I'll try anything at least once (unless it involves a snake). When it comes to food or experiences, I think you don't know unless you try. One of the most adventurous things I've ever done was go sky diving a few years ago. I've tried singing karaoke (I'm terrible), and the other day at the grocery store I grabbed a rutabaga to cook even though I had no idea what it was or how to cook it.

For the record, it's a root vegetable akin to a turnip. Taste and texture, I could compare it to a potato. Not difficult to cook at all. Go me!

* * *

Now wasn't that fun? I hope my real-life friends would agree about these ten I've chosen. I ran them by Jordan, and he gave me the green light, so I think I'm good.

What's something you like about yourself?

I'll Have a Tall Chai, Please

If you and I were meeting for coffee, the first thing I would do is order a chai tea latte because I don't like coffee.

Then we'd sit down, and I'd tell you that my new job is going great. I would say I can't believe that I actually have a job I like, where I enjoy being there. The people are so nice, and I'm really having fun. My drives to work and back really aren't so bad because for the past two months I've been listening to The Help on audiobook. Sometimes I don't even want to get out the car at the end of the drive because the book's at an exciting moment.

Then we'd take a sip of our drinks, and I'd ask you how your job is going, because talking with a friend means not only talking about yourself the whole time.

If you and I were meeting for coffee, I'd tell you that I've been having so much fun wrapping Christmas presents. My small living room is filled in what seems like every corner with cellophane and tissue paper and bags and ribbons. I love finding the perfect gift for someone. I'd really almost rather spend money buying a gift for someone else than I would for myself.

Gifts are my love language, and as much as I appreciate and understand the people who talk about the sad materialism of Christmas, I love the giving and receiving of gifts as a way to show my appreciation and affection for someone. This is one of the few times I have little concern for a budget.

Then I'd tell you about our tiny fake tree that my grandpa gave me when I moved to Oklahoma five years ago and how much I love it and the way it leans to the left. Always to the left.

If you and I were meeting for coffee, I'd tell you that I've been missing my friends. Good, long talks with girls I've been friends with for years. Girls I've been friends with since high school, since college. Girls I don't even need to talk to every day, but when we see each other, we jump right in without missing a beat. I think maybe that's the thing I hate the most about growing up. Your best friends are no longer a short drive or even a walk down the hallway away---they're across the country, even across the world.

Then I'd tell you that I'm so glad we're meeting for coffee, because it's nice to have a friend to talk to. And then I'd ask you how you're doing, what you're missing, what you're loving, if there's anything I can be praying for you about.

And we'd just sit and talk.

No phones out. No expectations.
Just two friends.
Drinking tea and talking.

What would you tell me if we went on a coffee date?

I Totally Made This! DIY Crocheted Nursing Necklace

About a month ago, I received an email from a friend of mine who recently had a baby. She asked if I would be interested in seeing if I could make her a nursing necklace. In case you didn't know (because I had no idea before she emailed me), a nursing necklace is a long, chunky necklace made with wood beads and cotton yarn. (It can be made with plastic or other materials too, but the wooden ones are what my friend wanted.) 

The point is for the baby to have something to play with while he or she is nursing. The colors and shapes are good for stimulation, and it's sturdy enough for the baby to suck or pull on without breaking. Also, you can just hand-wash the necklace in warm water if it gets goopy from baby drool.

I did some research via the Googles and am super freaking proud of myself of figuring out how to make one of these necklaces! I used this website as the template to crochet around the wooden beads, and I found the wooden beads at Hobby Lobby for about $2.00 each. (I think for a packet of 5.)

I don't even have a baby, and I kind of want one.
A necklace, not a baby.
Just to clarify.

Although I do want a baby at some point, so forget everything I just said.

You can customize the necklace basically any way you want with different colors, sizes of beads, and even crocheted flowers or leaves, although that's a little too advanced for me right now. I'm not planning on opening up a shop any time soon, but I do think this would make a creative, homemade baby shower gift. 

Too bad I don't have any pregnant friends right now.
HA. That was obviously a joke. I'm pretty sure all my friends are pregnant right now.

So what do you think? Would anyone be interested in me doing a necklace giveaway? Whoever wins could pick the colors and bead arrangement. I just thought of that right now as I was typing, but it might be fun if enough people were interested.

Have you heard of or seen a necklace like this before? 

2 Creative DIY Christmas Wrapping Ideas

How soon is too soon to start wrapping presents?

Someone tell me I'm not the only one who already has presents wrapped and under the tree. Let's not talk about the fact that it's all the presents I bought last year that I'm finally giving out this year because I'm a crazy, gift-buying fiend. (Fun fact about me: fiend is my favorite word.)

Whether it's birthday, baby, wedding, or Christmas, I love wrapping gifts. I'm the obsessive type to save tissue paper and leftover wrapping paper and bags and boxes, so I have a huge bag of loot and haven't had to buy a gift bag since never. 

The only problem is that it's hard coming up with creative ways to wrap a gift. While browsing Pinterest a few weeks ago, I saw this pin and got really excited. It had some really fun ideas for creative Christmas wrapping.

I highly suggest trying these suggestions out for fun, creative Christmas gift wrapping this season. You can find the directions for the DIY poms and a few other wrapping ideas at the original pin source here.

God bless Pinterest.
Amen.

For the Gift Addicts: The 5 Stages of Christmas Shopping

The fact that it is officially November means I can officially begin my Christmas shopping for this 2012 season. I can also now officially admit that I have been unofficially Christmas shopping since January.

It doesn't take long for anyone who knows me to realize that I am one of the cheapest people ever. I'm only lucky I married well, because although Jordan and I disagree about many things, one thing we don't disagree on is that neither of us likes to spend money.

However.

Come Christmastime or weddings/anniversaries/birthdays/baby showers or any other function where a gift is implied or necessary, all my frugalness goes out the window, and I eagerly spend money left and right for everyone I know.

I don't tell you this so you'll think highly of me and tell your friends about this (ahem) really pretty girl who has an awesome blog and also spends all her money selflessly giving to others.

I tell you this because admitting you have a problem is the first stop towards healing. Here's how it goes down:

Stage 1—The Initial Impulse Purchase

The first purchase is always for a close family member, say, your mother. Of course you're going to buy your mother a Christmas present. Who cares that it's January 17? You're going to buy one eventually, and the previous year's gifts are on super clearance sale for 99% off. Not to mention that this is the perfect gift. You can save it for a few months, right? And then voila! It's December, and you already have your gift. It's not early, you tell yourself. You're just being prepared. 

Then you pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself on being one step above the rest of the holiday rush suckers shoppers. 

Stage 2—The Second Impulse Purchase

The second purchase is for another close family member. Say, your brother. Of course you're going to buy your brother something. And it's June by this point. So much later in the year and much closer to Christmas. Now where to hide it...

(Stage 2a: The third purchase.)

(Stage 2b: The fourth purchase.)

Stage 3—The Bargains

Now it's August, and Christmas is in full swing. Okay, not really, but that's what you tell yourself. You start looking at your calendar and feeling like you're already behind. You're going to have so many people to buy for! So what that you already bought your mom, brother, sister, dad, and significant other their gifts? This is just the beginning. 

During stage 3, you start browsing through the bargain aisles of Target and Walmart and purchasing $1 items that you just know you'll be able to give to someone. You're also planning on doing some crafty things with wrapping and homemade goodies inspired by the pins you've been pinning all year on pinterest. So you stock up on ribbons and tissue paper and fake buttons and glitter and glue. You stuff those behind the Christmas gifts you're collecting and smile in satisfaction. You're so going to be pinned like crazy all over pinterest when word gets out. Maybe there will be book deals. And free cake. 

Stage 4—The List

Now your spare bedroom is full of boxes because you've had to empty your extra storage closet to fit the presents and wrapping materials. You start wondering just who all these gifts are for that you need twelve rolls of wrapping paper. 

This is when you do what you should have done months ago: make a list. First you add the obvious: family. Then you add your closest friends. But then your excitement takes over, and suddenly you've run out of paper and you're buying a new notebook to fit all the names. You want to send gifts to anyone you ever knew. You add your third grade teacher and your college lit professor and your ex-best friend from middle school because, hey, those $1 bowls from the Target dollar spot are going to mend the friendship where a regular phone call had previously failed.

And as if that wasn't bad enough, you know it's getting really bad when you start thinking about gifts that other people can give. Like, a gift that my mom could get her friend. 
That's weird. I don't do that, obviously. 
I'm just saying it could happen.

Stage 5--The Regret and Ensuing Rationalization of the First Second Purchase

Now it's two months before Christmas, and you're starting to see gifts that would be great for your mom. But wait. Didn't you already buy a gift for your mom? The regret begins to set in as you realize you already bought presents for half your list back in January. 

Enter: rationalization.

Yeah, you say to yourself, but that was months ago. I don't even remember what I got her. Oh yeah, that super-clearance item. But this is so much better. And it's...okay, it's 0% off, but that's not the point. 

Then you buy your first second purchase, and you're past the slippery slope and in the middle of a full avalanche. 

Trust me. Anything after stage 5 turns into a dark and lonely path.

Stage 5 is how you end up with gifts from last year that you have yet to hand out. True story. This year, Jordan's sisters (who don't read this blog and so will never know about this) will get a gift from us that we (read: I) bought them last year. I had every intention of giving them the first purchase, but before I could, I had a more brilliant idea and so never gave them the first brilliant idea. You see how this can be a problem. 

It's too late for me, but you can save yourself! 
Merry Christmas shopping from a shopping addict.
Lord help us all.