It’s 12:36 a.m., and I’m the only one awake in my house. I had to wait until everyone was asleep so I could sneak presents in from the car. I have a feeling this won’t be the only night this week that I stay up well-after everyone else has gone to bed.

There are just a few days left until Christmas, and for us mommas that means we only have so many hours left to cross everything off our lists. We all have lists. You have one. I have one. And while we each have different things to do on our lists, the words we write across the top would likely be the same.

Make Christmas Special.

That’s the aim, and the heart behind all that we are doing. We want to make memories, and celebrate Jesus, and teach our children gratitude, and have surprises under the tree. We want to gather our family and eat a meal together and experience joy. Expectations are high. I understand. There’s a lot of pressure.

Christmas is hard for us mommas because we care so much about how everyone else experiences it. We care about the gifts and the memories and the joy because deep down, we just want our children (no matter their ages) to know they are loved. We want them to know that we love them and that we did our best to show them.

It’s why we will stay up late wrapping and cleaning and prepping and installing batteries in toys and putting together bikes and play houses. It’s why we will hunt for that one present they really wanted or we will look for extra room in the budget to buy any presents at all when money is tight. It’s why we choose our kids before our own wants again and again.

It’s all because of love.

But here’s the thing. I know how momma’s hearts work, and I know that no matter how great the gifts or how hard you try… on Christmas Eve, you will wonder… “Is it enough?”

Did I do enough? Will they know they are loved enough? Is what I can offer this year enough?

Lean in close, because what I need to tell you is very important.

It is enough.

You did good this year. No matter what is under the tree or isn’t under the tree… No matter what you are eating, or who you are visiting, or how you are celebrating this holiday… No matter how clean or decorated or festive your house is…

no matter what this Wednesday brings…

Deep breath with me? Okay… maybe one more…

They will know they are loved – and at the end of the day, that is likely thanks to  you.

As you stay up late the next few nights finishing all of the things on your list, repeat after me. “It’s enough. It’s enough. It’s enough.”

Good job, momma. In case no one tells you… very good job.