Making a not-to-do holiday list

I love lists. I have an old-fashioned with lots of lists. Without it, I'd be a lost mess. But as much fun as it is marking off tasks I've conquered, I'm discovering it's almost as freeing to make a mental list of all the things I choose not to do.

So as Christmas Day nears and to-do lists are longer than actually need to be, let's take a deep breath together and share what we are not doing this {or possibly any!} holiday season.

I'll go first ...

• I don't bake other times of the year, so I'm not baking in December either. Yes, please notice my kids decorating cookies and licking their fingers in the picture above. My saint of a mother-in-law organized that activity when we were at her house Sunday afternoon. I applied icing to a couple cookies and then ate a few, otherwise I was completely uninvolved. So, yes, take it from me, it's acceptable to help others you love incorporate traditions they're better at executing. 
• We don't care about outside lights, so we've never hung them. And we aren't starting this year, right, Greg?
• Every room of my house is not decorated. This year it's less than my normal few and they're contained to mantel, a tree overtaking the living room, and some Christmas cards hanging on the kitchen wall.
• We don't cram it all into one day. In fact, we did Christmas with one side of the family before it was even December.
• And I still don't have a Pinterest account. Less pressure, really. 
• I don't make a big meal. We so something simple for Christmas morning when it's just the four of us. {This year, my girl is requesting pancakes, which can be arranged.} The other holiday meals are organized by my mom, mother-in-law or grandma-in-law, who I'm grateful still like to entertain us grown-up kids and our kids this way. 
• I shop early and mostly online so I'm not waiting until the last minute and rushing in and out of stores. I love to buy gifts. But I do not love the pressure that comes with waiting until right before I see someone. I like to pick up things as I see them in the months leading up to Christmas. Doing it this ways seems to produce better gifts, allows me to take advantage of deals, and enjoy the days leading up to Christmas.

While I'm not doing these things, I will be listening to my favorite Christmas songs, reading "The Jesus Storybook Bible" with my kids, giving gifts to friends and family we love, sharing meals those dear to us, and trying to savor the anticipation of the world receiving her king.

What's on your not-to-do holiday list?

________
I'm linking up with Jen Ferguson's Soli Deo Gloria party, where letting go is embraced; Jennifer Dukes Lee's #TellHisStory, where others are anticipating the coming of the King; Beth Stiff's Three Word Wednesday, because NOT TO DO are important words to me right now; and We are THAT Family, where good tips abound.

Want more stories? Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram. Follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin'. Subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox." Affiliate link included.

Nine Things I Learned in June

A water balloon "fight" between cousins. They were so wet and happy when it was over. Louisville, Ky.

When I browsed Facebook and Twitter this morning, I kept seeing some of my favorite bloggers linking to Chatting at the Sky's post about things learned in June. I love list posts, so I wanted to jump in.

June sneaked up on me and then seemed to be over before I blinked. I say over, but, really, we've got a few days left. Even so, our small town's Freedom Fest celebration is tomorrow, complete with fireworks, so it seems like July has arrived early. Summer Break is half over {and so is 2013 ...}, and, yes, it's flown by. I glance at my calendar, and I'm not sure life is truly going to slow down, but I want to soak up the sunshine and the real-life moments that are strung together to make this my life. 

So, in no particular order, here are nine things I learned in June ...

1. Even extrovert/planners/initiators like a break and want to be invited by others. Making plans and bringing people together is my thing. I like it, and I think I'm pretty good at it. Yet sometimes I like to sit back and have a friend reach out to me. It's a strange tension that presents itself when I'm weary. My husband and a good friend have reminded me that even strong extroverts need help -- something that others can understandably fail to see.

2. We're in the second season of Mad Men {Thanks, Netflix!} and I still can't decide if I like it.

3. Adoption is on my mind. The room that used to be Ben's nursery is sitting empty. I wondered for a brief moment what we should do with the room and I heard God tell my heart: Wait. So, we're waiting to see where this hope goes, but I believe we're supposed to expand this family of ours.

4. "The Internship" was really funny. I hesitate at what seems like it will be just a slap-stick comedy, but laughing is good for my soul. And this movie was funny.

5. I'm old-fashioned. I love my swim dress. I love my mini van. And, well, there may have been some political decisions recently that reminded me of this. {There is a blog post on that brewing in my head!}

6. Quizno's has a delicious sugar-free lemonade. Tropicana, I think. {Apparently I'm still in the process of actually learning this one!}

7. Subway serves avocado as a sandwich topping. It's really good with turkey and bacon. {Hey, with Quizno's and Penn Station, the avocado is what enticed me back!}

8. It's not all going to get done today. And that's OK. {Obviously, this is one I'll always be learning, but I've made progress here, people.}

9. Summer starts well before June 21. I've heard many times since school ended from my quite literal daughter, "Hey, Momma. Is it summer yet? It feels like it." Yes, but, hey, she learned to swim in the deep end without floaties, so there is that.
________
I'm linking up with other list-makers at Chatting at the Sky. Want more stories? Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram. Follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin'. Subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

What's on your ...

This post is inspired by one Ali Edwards wrote last week. I tweaked my list a little, but it's a fun way to document the right now in my life. 

Perennial to-do list :: Scrapbook. Organize pictures that I've printed. Put together a hanging display for postcards. Mop and clean the toilets and showers also hang over my head.

Refrigerator shelves :: Left over deviled eggs. Milk that I bought on the way to school this morning and then proceeded to pour some into my preschooler's cup. Coke Zero. Lettuce. Beef thawing for dinner tonight.

Front porch :: A bird made a nest. Less pollen because the lawn care guy blew off the porch.

Nightstand :: Kindle. "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young.

Calendar :: Carpool this afternoon. Greg turns 35 today. Cate and I also have birthdays within the next two weeks. Four more weeks of school for Cate. Three more school days for Ben.

Dream itinerary :: Pretty much anywhere, especially places that are warm.

Playlist :: "Promise of Summer" by Jackopiece.

iPhone :: Map My Run. Instagram. Words with Friends. Facebook. Twitter. Texting. ShopShop.

Workout plan :: Run a few times a week in preparation for a 5K on May 25. I ran 2.09 miles this morning.

Bucket list :: Load up my family in an RV and travel to all the MLB stadiums during baseball season. Write a book.

Mind :: Dear friend Sarah and sister-in-law Angela are expecting babies soon, like this week. People I want to make plans with. A neighborhood party. Updating our adoption home study, again.

DVR :: "The Good Wife" is all we really record these days, but we're caught up. I don't really expect to watch the "Mob Doctor" episodes, but we haven't deleted them yet.

Blogroll :: Jennifer Dukes Lee. Chasing Blue Skies. Big Mama. Jen Hatmaker. {Just to name a few ...}

To-read list :: "Desperate: Hope for a Weary Mom" by Sarah Mae & Sally Clarkson {And the Kindle version is just $3.99 today!}. "Interrupted" by Jen Hatmaker. "You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One)" by Jeff Goins.

Tell me about your right now.
________
Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter and Instagram.