MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Well, I guess whether or not all those things on my to do list were completed doesn't matter now. Christmas is here! I think I was actually able to start relaxing Friday once the girls got out of school......relaxing mentally that is. We had our SS class party Friday night. Saturday we went to do Christmas with my family. There was still lots to do. Sunday, after just one family gathering, our house was a WRECK! Monday, however, I was able to clean and declutter. AAAAHHHH, I feel so much better now! We had a distant relative gathering last night but having the house in order made it bearable to bring more gifts home. We still have 3 rounds to go! Santa, ANOTHER distant relative and then another family celebration.

I've been able to thoroughly enjoy spending time with family, just being kind of lazy. It's nice to get out of the day-to-day routine of life. Several of my daily email devotions have been on experiencing the joy......I feel like I have the last few days if nothing else. Yes, we received God's greatest gift!

Merry Christmas!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.......part 2

Not that anyone cares but thought I'd update my "to-do" list. I actually wrote out Christmas cards though I haven't done immediate family yet. I wrapped about 4 presents and they are not even from us. They are gifts other people are giving my girls that I helped by picking it out. The bonus room looks likes a bomb went off! There are boxes everywhere, floor covered with scissors, tape, pen, name tags, wrapping paper. UUUGGGHHH!

My shopping is done but I feel like I'm forgetting something........or someone! And where do you stop with the gifts and cards? How do you decide who to give to? I want to give to everyone is my problem.

The girls have their Christmas parties this week. I'm completely responsible for purchasing the necessary items for Lindsey's and preparing everything. Luckily, I have help with Emily's and I'm doing very little for Madison's other than attending and helping with crafts. Not to mention laundry is starting to get backed up............I did 3-4 loads on Saturday!! Yes, another busy week!

The children's choir had their program tonight. The children did a wonderful job. I hate to admit this but at least that is one activity behind us......although both children's and preschool choir are singing a song with the adult choir next Sunday night.

On a sidenote, a lady from church was chatting with me, asking if the girls were excited about the program. (The preschoolers sang before the children's program.) She also said that children were so sweet this time of year! WHAT!? Whose children was she talking about? Mine have not been so sweet. Okay, Okay, they have had their moments....like when they are sleeping. They have also had their moments of terrorizing each other. Although I have to admit that yesterday Emily & Lindsey were playing very sweet together. It reminded me of last year when the two of them were able to play together more often and it made me sad for Lindsey who is alone now. And NO, that doesn't mean I need to have another baby.........she has a puppy to play with!

Guess I should catch some zzzzz's to be ready for the week!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.......

We finally got our tree up and decorated! I know the decorations are not the true meaning of Christmas. However, spending time together as a family, listening to Christmas music and putting up the decorations warmed my heart. I'm almost finished with my shopping too! I'd like to start wrapping some gifts so we can put some under the tree. My only fear is that they will get destroyed between the girls and the dog. (So far Kendall hasn't messed with the tree.) The tree happens to be in the front room we use as a play area. Now if I can just get those darn cards started............I did print out my Christmas card list from last year - that's a start!

I also made a list of some goodies I'd like to make as well as a list of ingredients I will need.

Oh, well, for now I probably need to go to bed. We had a company party last night and did some shopping today and I'm quite tired!

Merry Christmas? Happy Holidays? Joy to the World?

I don't know about anyone else but I'm feeling overwhelmed with the holidays. Don't get me wrong, I love this time of the year. Christmas and Easter are my favorite holidays. I truly believe in celebrating Christmas for the reason we should. I DO enjoy buying gifts for the people I hold close to my heart. I give gifts because I want to, not out of obligation. But the tasks of what I want to do at this time of year are overwhelming me. I haven't even started Christmas cards. I don't even have a picture I want to put on them which means I need to take one. I don't even have my tree up yet because we were out of town all weekend and haven't had a chance since we returned home. I want to do some baking but haven't even started thinking about what to bake so I wonder if I'll even get to it. I admit I do have most of my shopping done.

So I'm thinking that even though I want to give to the people I care about, whether it's simply a card or homemade goodies, maybe I need to not let these things overwhelm me and make sure the season doesn't pass me by without singing "Joy to the World" sincerely. Today's Proverbs 31 ministries devotion spoke on this. I encourage everyone to do the same and not let people, things, or circumstances blind you like I often do. Maybe the best gift I can give to my family and friends is to be a joyful wife, mother, friend and not a grump!

And I think I'll stop wasting time on the computer and start decorating.........