Happy Thanksgivng - Merry Christmas - Happy Holidays

So Thanksgiving is next week! It is also my mother's birthday. So it should be a nice time. It is being held at my home this year. Which I do not mind at all. I LOVE having family around.

Then on to Christmas.....I just have to say - my Christmas shopping is done! There is onlyone present left on the list and it is my HUSBAND'S job to get it. I keep on him - but with his Master's thesis due this week and then more artwork that needs to be finished, I hope that he gets with it and orders it soon so it is here on time.

My list this year included - SIL and family gift, In-laws, parents, sister and husband, sister and son, niece and nephew, 3 sons, 2 daughters, husband, and friends. We had a budget - but decided to go a little over due to 2 of our son's wish list. 6 year old ahs asked for a drum set for the last 3 years. We found some that were not too small or too big that were over 40% off, and way under $100. So we spent a little more than the $50 budget we had set for each kid for him. Youngest was $40, youngest daughter was $45, oldest daughter was $49, and oldest son is the one that has not been bought for yet --- he wants a rc airplane and DAD is suppose to do that one so MOM doesn't screw it up and get the wrong one. ;)

I am not getting anything except a little cash - for spending when I go with my husband to his "graduation" for his Masters back east. He has to present his thesis paper - and I am going to go and be there for him. So my airplane ticket and a little spending money is my Christmas.

The great thing about getting things done before Thanksgiving is that I can relax and enjoy the Season WAY more. I find it enjoyable to go to the different school programs, and concerts, and parties...because I do not have to squeeze shopping into all of that. I really can feel the Spirit of the true meaning of Christmas and not have to focus (as the mom) on the gift part of it during those few weeks. The down side i would have to say is i usually buy a few more books and movies than I would have since I stretch it out - I sometimes forget what I have already bought from SC. SC brings our family books and movies and maybe a stuff animal or coloring book and crayons nothing big. But with 5 kids and different ages - I sometimes spend a little more than I thought I would. But if I am going to spend more - books are the best thing to go overboard on! =)

I just love the feeling of Christmas. You (or at least I) cannot be upset or depressed when I hear Christmas music or watch an old Christmas movie. In fact I collect nativity sets - usually just the Holy Family - and keep them out all year in my living room. I do this to have a little reminder every time I go in there of the feeling I get. I love seeing baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph looking down on him. The thought of how overwhelmed Joseph must have felt with the HUGE responsibility in front of him. Not only does he have Mary to help and take care of - he has to raise the son of God! Talk about first time parent worries. Then Mary knowing how amazing that little baby in her arms is. What a huge thing to live up to - to be his mother and knowing that there is no making mistakes with this one. I just am in awe every time I think of the two of them and am humbled of that thought of what that little baby did when he grew up - what he WILLING did for each of us. Just amazing!

So to each of you - I hope you can let go of the rushing and stress and focus on that feeling of awe and amazement --- and have the Peace enter your heart - that Peace on Earth the Angels declared unto all of the World.