Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Well today is Christmas! The day we spend weeks and weeks preparing for....that is over with within a half hour...:P lol

The kids were of course spoiled. I am hoping that no matter what they do and don't get, that they always know and understand the true meaning of Christmas. I worry sometimes, no matter how hard we try, they always look SO forward to the presents the most. Although, I remember feeling that way as a child, and I turned out ok...didn't I? lol

As an adult I MUCH prefer to give then receive, and hope my children will grow to have the same feeling at Christmas time. We are celebrating the birth of Christ, a time for giving and loving and sharing. This needs to always be foremost in our minds at this time of year. It is SO easy to get caught up in the hullabaloo of buying and spending and over-extending ourselves !

This afternoon, we lit our advent candles. The three purple ones and the pink one were re-lit as we lit out white Christmas candle. We talked about the true meaning of Christmas and what it meant to us. Nathaniel shared that Jesus wanted to die with those bad guys on the cross, so he could save us and go prepare houses and places for us in Heaven. Corbin shared that he wants to share the word of God with others if they do not know about God. :) My children amaze me, and warm my heart more and more with each passing day. These are our advent candles sitting in a wreath that my mother made. :)

I am really happy we got to get a recent picture of the kids together. It is amazing how HARD it is to get them all sitting together long enough to get a good shot where they are all at least looking at the camera! lol But this year, we got a few really beautiful ones. I think this one is my favorite! :)

I am truly grateful for my children, my husband, and our family and friends. Especially at this time of year, when we see so much more of each other and make sure to take the time to stop and be together. Even with all the running around, preparing, baking, cooking, cleaning...etc.... it is worth every single moment, when we sit down and be together!

Now, Dave and I am the boys are going to play some more games and have some nice homemade turkey soup for dinner! YUM! Then, when the children are all tucked in safe an sound tonight, Dave and I will play a game of scrabble by the tree. Have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas everyone!!!

God Bless!