The Joy of Life: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

What is it about this time of year? The excitement of my children? The Christmas music in the stores and on the radio? All of the delicious food? The Christmas specials on tv at night- we have been DVRing them to watch. (I think the kids especially enjoy this because they don't watch a lot of tv at night.) Yesterday Blaine and I wrapped Christmas presents to our family while the girls slept. He has really gotten into the gift giving this year- there is a present under the tree to everyone in our family from "Blaine". He wrapped them all himself!

I know there is some debate on "Santa" and "the Elf on the shelf" but my take is it is all in fun...I enjoy being creative and having an elf around the house is fun for me as well as the kids! I have read The Boy with a Wish to my kids about the real St. Nick- who was generous and kind. There are lessons to be taught through "Santa". I look at Santa like I look at Disney World- it's just magical and it's a good kind of magic... if my kids were asked what the real meaning behind Christmas is- they could tell you! In fact, they LOVE the Christmas story and talking about our nativity!

Our biggest Christmas present this year has already come....Sarah Claire has asked Jesus into her heart. She and I prayed together about three weeks ago one night before bed! Her little heart was stirred this past Spring when our church presented the Promise...she has been asking questions ever since. One night she told me she was ready to ask Jesus to come live in her heart. Being so young, I my thoughts were..."Does she understand?" She does! We sat down to pray with our Children's minister two weeks ago...

What a special moment! She will be baptized soon- what a way to begin 2012. So thankful...another answered prayer!

December brings so many things...fun memories to cherish...