‘Tis five days til Christmas, and here in my house

I’m sporting milk stains all over my blouse.

The baby is crying, he’s clinging to me

But of course, he’s an infant—that’s how it should be.

The air is charged with excitement and glee

As my sons bounce around the Christmas tree,

Counting down the days ‘til the big day comes,

Their favorite carols they sing and they hum.

And I want to join them, seriously, I do—

I don’t want to be the Grinch, but Cindy-Lou Who,

Caught up in the magic, not mired in the work.

I want to be a happy mom, not a grumbling jerk.

This December my greatest challenge has been

Trying to be Santa while a new mom again.

Squeezing in the shopping, the wrapping and baking

With a baby refusing the naps he should be taking.

I worked and I slaved but couldn’t get ahead,

Each overstuffed day just filled me with dread.

I multi-tasked my way through every spare minute

Struggling to remember the joy hidden in it.

Two days of decorating turned into three weeks

My emotions coursing through valleys and peaks,

I’ve still not given all the cards an address

And despite all my cleaning, the house remains a mess.

I recruited my big boys, Zach and Eli

To help their mom out, and yes, they did try.

But as is often the case when dealing with kids

Much of their cleaning, I ultimately redid.

So now they’re lost in their room, I’m afraid

Playing Xbox Live with friends they’ve made.

For their Nana gave each child a new game

Two weeks ago, when from Kentucky she came.

And while she was here to help hold the baby,

I worked my butt off, decorating like crazy.

I hung up the wreaths, the stockings, the lights

Making the house look merry and bright.

And it’s all coming together, I’m almost there

And I’ve only acquired a few new gray hairs.

Just a little more shopping and cooking to do,

A few presents to wrap and y’all—I am through!

Still, there’s no break for me, or moms anywhere

As we scramble about on a wing and a prayer.

Hoping beyond hope for the best Christmas ever

Surviving this week is a Mom’s biggest endeavor.

I’m sure that Christmas morn, I’ll be awake

When the landing on our roof Santa’s sleigh does make.

For baby Jonah is still up for much of the night

A-nursing and a-rocking ‘til the sun’s first light.

But I’ll still hop out of bed so very early

I’ll slap on some makeup and brush my teeth pearly.

Then we’ll rouse the boys if they aren’t yet awake

And another year of beautiful memories we’ll make.

For there’s not much in life quite so divine

As happy children laughing and knowing they’re mine.

Seeing little faces glow as they open their presents

My Christmas blessing is the gift of their presence.

And the chaos of prior weeks will no longer matter

As my tired heart becomes gladder and gladder.

For Christmas is not about getting, but giving

And spending time with the reasons you’re living.

Before I go, one last thing I must say

As we rush ever closer to the holiday—

Merry Christmas to all, draw your loved ones near.

May God bless you and give you a Happy New Year.