Day 3 Planning Happiness

Thought since I've been up working away on my page for the day, as well doing some work on the computer I'd better get this in before I started my baking for the day.

Planning Happiness in the holiday season is not always a simple task. We often find ourselves running here , running there, getting this in, getting that in, buying gifts for this person or that. We often don't take the time we need to slow down and enjoy all the season has to offer us. This is one of the main reason's why I started doing Journal Your Christmas it helps bring  me back  to focus on the bigger picture, to be calm and still in it all. One way I plan my happiness is to do something special , something that my children can look back on and say, Remember when ....

So some years we've had Christmas a way from home, it was difficult at times because we had to meet at different times with our other friends and loved ones, but it was what we as a family needed. We tried to make it a tradition every year to go away for the holidays but realized that it isn't always possible. So some years although we didn't go on a trip, we always planned a special event for just us. This year we planned to go away for the holidays we were going to go into the mountains , rent a cabin, and just get away, but quickly we all realized that financially we couldn't do that. So we thought what else could we do. We had thought about a few things and decided we'd do the one closer to home. As I took the time to investigate, see what all the fun things we could do I quickly realized that there really wasn't a whole lot and nothing really stuck out at me. So after talking with my husband Robert we both decided okay we'll go to Leavenworth ,one of our ultimate family favorite spots. Now mind it is a bit more then what we planned on spending but still within our budget. So the planning process begins.

What are some of the ways we could stay on budget and how? One, we could stay in a nicer hotel for one night or we could opt for a cheaper one and stay for two which would allow us more free time. So we opted for the two nights. Now to find a hotel that suites the budget is not always easy but its possible. I began the process of finding hotels, we knew would stay in a different city , which was no problem. So I found different hotels in the city of East Wenatchee, where we've stayed many times. I compare prices, amenities, who's got the best services, the whole bit. Phew, finally we find one , we come to an agreement and bam its booked.

Next in our planning happiness process we consider food: We know we have a refrigerator in our room and the hotel offers free continental breakfast. Yay , two meals taken care of, we then say okay we'll bring food for our lunches , drinks, and snacks , great those are checked off our list. Then we decide since we'll be in the city of Leavenworth all day and we've managed to save our money in other area's we'll treat the kids and us to a nice sit down yet affordable dinner. Awesome, now all meals are planned, money saved, and all is happy.

What's next you say: well our activities of course. We know that we'll be leaving in the evening and just driving to the hotel to sleep for the first night. So all we need for that is a few fun travel games. Okay that's easy. So for the next day , we'll have some travel time but not much that's where we'll just reminisce about this and that. Once we arrive in Leavenworth that's where all the fun will begin. The kids will enjoy some sledding, a wintery wonderland parade, we'll all enjoy the many songs and sounds of various artists who will perform throughout the day, we'll do some window shopping, sip on cocoa, cider, tea, or coffee, eat our lunch , have a few snacks, and later we'll enjoy the Festival of Lights, where they'll light up the whole town. Then of course somewhere in there we'll enjoy a delightful dinner. Yes, this day is full of wonderful activities but it still is relaxing. So you might think but isn't the point to stop, slow down, and enjoy. Yes!!! We take our time, we take it in, we talk, we enjoy one another. Just us, no other family, no other friends around, just us. We get to connect & bond as a family with no other distractions other then what we enjoy together. This is our way of planning happiness and joy for the season.

Obviously we need to plan our lunch menu, our snacks, and what we will need to wear but that's all minor, simple stuff. That stuff can wait. As for now I'm going to sit back, enjoy , do what needs to be done and wait for our special family trip.

What is your Planning Happiness? Please share.



Mandy