...In hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be here...

They're finally done...well almost. I've been putting off this project for 3 years now--since Lexie's 1st Christmas. Only personalized stockings for Mom, Dad, and the three oldest have adorned the fireplace --poor Lexie & Izzie! I wanted antique- looking stockings with the traditional red velvet...so 7 years ago I purchased enough fabric for 8 stockings knowing that #'s 4, 5, and 6 would come someday. I drew out the design and figured out how to put them together--lined and all. I mis-calculated and had to hunt for more fabric, trim, and ribbon this year. Each one is a little different, but not on purpose--only because I am not a perfectionist, and because I'm just not as intelligent as I used to be. Not that I ever was a genius or anything.

The bigger part is that I just feel DUMB. I'm serious. Pregnancy does something to the brain and you never regain those cells again. I've been pregnant seven times so I figure that's a lot of lost brain cells. Am I alone in this feeling of dumbness? Is that even a word??? I need to read some more books! Hopefully my lost 'smarts' transferred in-utero to my kids. I just couldn't figure out how I once-upon-a-time had put these stockings together with the fold-over cuff, the lining, etc. I literally had to take mine apart in order to put the little girls' together. It's not like they're a difficult needle-point or anything! After two days laboring on them, they're done...and I swear they weren't this difficult the first time around!

Once I put them up I just stood back in amazement. I don't know why it doesn't just sink in--I have SIX beautiful children! (and we need a new portrait, Katie!) Six plus Mom & Dad makes eight. Eight stockings on our fireplace---not room for even one more. At least I know simple math. Maybe I'm not so dumb. But I am tired. Eternally tired...or so it seems. But that's a pretty grand picture of a complete family of 8 stockings. At least it is to me. Santa has been REALLY busy this year. Hope he makes it to the McLaughlin home to fill those little labors of love!