Christmas Time is Here

Christmas is just on the horizon here in our home. It's actually been a great season for us so far. I've been making an effort to do things a little different this year.

For starters, I am SLOWLY decorating the house. Normally, I do a one-day blitz ... a holiday hurricane of sorts. This year, have chosen to decorate one box at a time. -- a wreath here, garland there. I've decided that I can stop at any time -- after all, I've learned that the "Christmas" joy and warmth isn't just created with decorations (though that DOES help!) ... but, now with the kids, we have so much fun talking about the REAL reason for Christmas, singing carols and reflecting on Christmases past.

I do have garlands up, stockings are hanging (though I still need to get Gideon and Josie's names put on theirs), the tree is being assembled today (we are opting for the fake-y this year since we will be in CA for 2 weeks), and the paper snowflakes grow in number daily.

I was able to help host at our church's annual Women's Christmas Luncheon. It's a tradition that is well over 40 years in the making at our church. Debi Hayes and I teamed up and hosted two tables. I had to take some pictures of the place settings - mostly to prove that I do use my china! One set is my wedding china (LOVE it!), and the other is Great-Grandma Steincamp's china. It was beautiful... there were over 220 ladies there - not including all the men and Young Lifers that were serving us!

This coming Saturday, we will be collecting food for the Food Bank together -- all five of us. The Lord has blessed us - we are not in need of food or other household items (like diapers or toilet paper!) - and we are compelled to do what we can to help those that need it. Our church has a large food bank, the "Bread of Life" Food Bank, which feeds many, many people in the neighboring community. We will be outside the Albertson's, asking people to help collect random things the Bank needs. The way it works is people can either donate there, take a list and purchase an item needed -- or take a flyer and, if THEY are in need, get food for THEIR family!

Albertson's is a huge donor to the Food Bank and allows us to do this every major holiday -- there are tables that will be manned all day long. It's so important to Jeremy and me that we teach our kids at an early age to serve in any way they can -- and they don't have to "have" anything to do it -- just a willing heart! Ellie and I did this last Easter. We were so blessed and humbled by people and the community as a whole.

I have to say, though, the best thing about this season has been just spending time with the family. Ellie is old enough now to be fully invested in the season. She prides herself in knowing that Santa is not real, but if she plays along (and keeps the secret) "he" will still visit her. Gideon just realized the other day that he has a very good chance of getting presents on Christmas. He had not realized that before, and continues to double-check with me if that is indeed the case. He is REALLY excited. Smiley Jo has become quite the talker. When awake, she spends her time either eating, chortling, chanting "da-da-da-da-da-da", or blowing raspberries.

I am blessed beyond belief -- and love these moments I get to spend with my family!!!