I've really had a tough time getting in the holiday spirit this year. Part of it is related to my job. The grocery "biz" is exhausting this time of year. Every day at work is overload. I've been dealing with Christmas product daily since mid October. I've had enough! We've done nothing at home to decorate. We may put the tree up tomorrow but thats all I'm doing inside this year. I think part of the reason for my hesitation is that I'm just so tired of the commercialism of Christmas.
Every year I feel horrible about buying and receiving gifts that none of us need. Meanwhile, there are children out there in true need. Families living in shelters at night and out in the cold during the day. Children who ask for coats for Christmas. My children have so much that they can't even comprehend what its like to "need". There are children out there fighting for their lives....like little Kate McCrae in Arizona. I've posted her story on my blog a few times. She will be spending Christmas and her birthday in the hospital battling brain cancer. Sorry, but presents are the last thing on my mind right now. Our family will be donating to "Kate's crazy cool Christmas"....something that the McCrae family started to help make Christmas as great as possible for children in Oncology units. You can read more about this here....
http://prayforkate.com/#/christmas/
Of course, I'm sure your local hospitals have something similar, but I have felt a connection to this story for the past several months, and feel led to help out the McCrae family.
If that doesn't put you in the holiday spirit, what will?
Next year, I'd like to encourage us all to donate our christmas money to helping another family in a big way. You could help out as a family at a local shelter, buy tons of presents for kids off the tree-of-sharing, help feed a family for a month...the possiblities are endless. Of course, Cole and Gracie will get "santa gifts", because thats such a fun part of Christmas for them, but an even better gift that we can give them is the lesson of genorisity to those less fortunate than us. We're also going to set aside more time for looking at Christmas lights, marveling at the tree display at the Davenport hotel and going on the horse and carriage ride with Grandma, sledding, walks in the snow, reading Christmas books, and just enjoying each other. We'll spend time at our church celebrating the REAL reason for this season. We'll pray for the less fortunate, and be ever so thankful for our own blessings.
I think I'm finding my spirit!
Cole got his eye clops....which he was VERY excited about. As if you can't tell!
Daddy got his ready wrench.....
Grammy gave Cole and Gracie their new bibles....
Cole playing Santa's helper in charge of handing out presents...
Cole's first concert with his new keyboard from Jeremy and Lesley.....
It was a great morning with family. The kids got lots of fun presents and had a wonderful time! Because of Gracie's flu, she and I spent the afternoon snuggled up at home while the boys spent more time with family. We missed the festivities but are so glad she is feeling better!! 
and of course...the traditional milk and cookies...
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!
lots of yummy treats to eat....
many wonderful surprises....
thankfullness for answered prayers....
and love in your heart for the one that Christmas is really about....
Glad to see someone is getting some well deserved rest around here.
