Remind me again why I signed up for nursing school? I have no life, my head and eyeballs are ready to explode, and my ass is growing exponentially from sitting on it 8 million hours a week. Also, there is a lot of poop involved in nursing. BRB DROWNING IN HOMEWORK. SEND COFFEE. AND METH.

This wasn’t  just any run. It started with Beyonce empowering every step with Run the World.

I conquered the big hill and walked a little, as my right shin is tight and bugging me. I stop to stretch it out really well. It’s cold. It’s bitterly cold but it feels refreshing and my lungs are filling with crisp, clean air.

I pick it up again and find a groove, running by the hospital. I start thinking about my future career (I’m in nursing school, for those who don’t know). I think about the patients and the nurses I will meet and the excitement is building.

 

 
Glitter in the Air by Pink comes on and the sun is peeking through the houses. It’s setting and it’s orange and I’m thinking about Mum, who passed away nearly a year ago. Mum used to say, “See you when the sun shines,” before we went to bed. The thought of her face warms my heart, and when Pink sings “have you ever been touched so gently, you had to cry,” and I thought of holding Mum’s hand in those last moments. I miss her, but I’m filled with hope nonetheless. She was so amazing.

I round the corner, feeling a little lump in my throat and I see this sweet old lady, using a walker on the icy sidewalk. She smiles and says something so I stop and pull out a headphone and ask if she’s okay. “I wish I could run like you,” she says with a big smile. I don’t know what to say, so I say, “Thank you! I hope you have a great night!” and pat her hand gently. She smiles so brightly and says, “you too…enjoy this sunshine!”

I ran the rest of the way home on air. Yes dear sweet lady with the walker, I did enjoy this sunshine all the way home…because it was filled with my Mama. <3 Best. Run. Ever.

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Christmas is fast approaching and with nursing school dominating my life, I’ve had to set Christmas on the back burner. Now usually, I do all the decorating, shopping, arranging and other such craziness. This year, I’m in exams right up until December 16th and I think the week after that, I’ll be able to get everything done.

I made a wish list last night that included all the toys for my boys and the million-hundredy kids in my family. The adults draw names, so that makes it a bit easier on the budget for everyone.

Despite all the insanity that is the commercial-y part of Christmas, there are some things I absolutely treasure about our Christmas traditions that I can’t ever ever ever give up.

The Tree

We always get a real tree. Even when the kids were little, we taught them not to destroy the tree.  Even though people say “how can you stand all the pine needles tracked all through your house?” I quite enjoy getting stabbed in the foot at 11:30 at night as I make the rounds to shut down the 89,000 lights we put up. And even though I have to kneel on the hardwood to water that tree every single night and my knees feel like they are going to shatter like two dollar store shot glasses, I can’t NOT water the tree because I won’t be able to sleep for fear of it spontaneously combusting — I cannot have anything but a real tree in this house at Christmas. IT’S THE CRAZY IN ME.

(aren’t they just so sweet?)

Christmas Eve

Every Christmas Eve, the kids and I bake homemade cinnamon rolls (these ones to be exact) and stuff them into as many tin trays as possible, and hand deliver them to our neighbours.  Last year we skipped it, but the year before we made 9 trays and delivered 8. The other tray? Oh I should have just stuffed it in my pants because it ended up there anyway.

Christmas morning

One of my teachers (who also has kids) asked our class if they needed coffee to function in the mornings. About half the class agreed that yes, we cannot function without our Cuppa Joe (this was all lesson related, I swear). He then posed the question about Christmas morning, and asked if we make our children wait for that first cup of coffee to be brewed. He couldn’t believe anyone would be so cruel. I was too ashamed to raise my hand and say, “yup, my kids open their stockings and then sit and wait while Mommy and Daddy brew a cup. WITH BAILEYS.” Of course, the teacher admitted he can’t let the kids open their presents without standing over them with the garbage bag for the wrapping paper so WHO IS SCREWING THEIR KIDS UP MORE? I mean, really.  Hrmmph.

A New (and Hilarious) Tradition

We are starting a new holiday tradition this year – the ugly sweater contest, inspired by Emily and her Etsy shop. $10 buys you in, my completely unaware Granny votes. Seriously, we haven’t told her – and she is BRUTALLY honest, so she will be floored and vocal about the fact that everyone in the family is showing up in hideous sweaters. I can’t wait.
 

What are your favorite holiday traditions?

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