Thanksgiving has officially come and gone and I can finally get back on my normal eating routine. We’ve been eating leftovers for the past week and I officially can’t stand the smell of that oh so amazing food from the holiday. As someone who LOVES stuffing (unlike everyone in my family), I had to search multiple grocery stores in Puerto Rico to find a good ol’ box of Stove Top and get my holiday fix.
When I finally surrendered to making it from scratch, I laid my eyes on a small table of “American Thanksgiving” items in my local grocery store. I may have danced down the isles with my 4 boxes of Stove Top (I had to stock up just in case). But this holiday was a huge reminder that I still have a lot to learn about my Puerto Rican culture- and apparently no one here knows what “stuffing” is!
Now that we’re transitioning into Christmas, I was pleasantly surprised to find real Christmas trees at Sam’s Club! And they’re apparently a hot commodity. When I feasted my eyes on the winner- the only plump option out of four Christmas trees (the others reminding me of Charlie Brown’s sad little tree). I nearly got into a verbal dispute with the guy who was there before me waiting for the giant shipping container to be opened & unveil the other options. I had to calmly & confidently remind him that I asked him if he had dibs on any of the trees before I picked my own. It was also a good lesson to my kids on going after what you want. 😉
When we brought our Christmas tree home, we remembered that we have no ornaments, no lights, and no Christmas decor! It was one of the small sacrifices of such a big move. However, it was a small testament on how we never lack what we need. We opened up a tiny box of sentimental ornaments that we kept, put them on our tree, and they filled the whole thing! It was a small miracle and a great experience for my kids. After almost 9 months living here, it was the first time my son made a comment that gave me hope. He said, “The Christmas tree makes it feel like home.”
Since moving to PR, I’ve had such a sweet experience in building more connection with my family. While my husband and I have always been a little different about how we do things and live our life, we get little bits of confirmation that we’re doing okay. It shows in the joy of our kids and in how they show up in the world. They always amaze me with their intelligence, how they treat people, their strength in character, and how they handle life’s situations.
If you read one of my previous emails, you already know that I’ve started writing a book with my parenting advice and I’ll be launching the Grace for Breakfast Podcast soon. Many themes have been unfolding in what I’m ready to share and one of the big ones has to do with connection. Despite what we’ve been through, my husband and I have managed to go against the grain when it comes to parenting, having a strong family bond, and taking huge risks that go against the status quo. I’d love for you to reply and let me know what kind of topics you’d like to hear more about in relation to parenting, marriage, and keeping your sanity while raising small children and chasing your dreams.
And as you jump into the holiday madness, remember what this holiday is about- the birth of Christ and the joy of giving. Keep it simple and forget about the pressure to perform and give above your means. Plus, most of that stuff ends up in the garbage. 😂
With Peace & Ease,
Iviana
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