♫ I Believe...

Every year I get lost in "the meaning of Christmas. Between my Christian upbringing, the political madness (Say Happy Holidays, not Merry Christmas!), the busy-ness, the stress of money and time, the extra hours at work, and the constant noise around me...my view of Christmas changes almost every year.

This year, it's for the better.

This year, I've officially decided that I believe in magic.

I believe in Santa as much as my little girls, because the excitement in their eyes is more convincing than anything I've ever been told.

I believe that the buzz of Christmas has been commercialized, and it's thing to be felt, not accomplished.

I believe that the true meaning of Christmas IS Jesus' birthday, but that you can believe in magic too.

I believe that things get harder for those around us at Christmas, to make us appreciate the things we can't reach or understand.

I believe that traditions are things you can start at any age.

I believe it possible to send love, peace and strength, instead of material gifts.

I believe in old fashioned Christmas cards, and will never email them.

I believe that those that are suffering should be our focus, instead of those craving spoiling.

I believe in the power of prayer.

I believe life shows us hardships, to force us to remember the small things.

After closing my eyes. and feeling my way through a store to find the perfect gift for somebody that needs texture...I believe that Christmas is held in the eyes of children, and in the touch of people with special needs.

I believe Christmas music rarely tells the story right.

I believe that Christmas is a time of year, not a single day.

I believe that "Christmas" goes by many names, which doesn't make them any more right or wrong. (This tradition has been around for centuries, and the original story has long been forgotten. How do YOU celebrate Christmas? What about your great great great great grandmother?...follow your history; open your eyes))

I believe in magic.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

Only 44 days!

I know, I know- don't start a countdown already! BUT... I... can't... help... it! 

For years now, Christmas has been such a disappointment for me. Since the divorce of my parents, all the sparkle and magic of the holidays has just wilted. I mean, last year, my dad's wife bought a shrub with glitter as our Christmas tree. Are you kiddin' me?! C'mon people, the birth of our Saviour isn't just another day. Its a day meant to be the most celebrated, the most cheerful and the most decorated!!

Having a baby has changed all of that for me. I'm so excited to teach my lil Scooby Doo the traditions we have as a family and see his face when I turn the Christmas tree lights on! I'll take delight in his excitement over the box his present came in, rather than the present itself.

Rase and I have decided that we're not doing the whole Santa thing. We'd rather honor Jesus by giving Him the credit for all those delicious presents under the tree (I can just see it now, Scooby Doo telling the kids in his class where presents really come from. Eeek).  Plus its just too much work to wrap all those presents (with him being the only grandkid on my side, there will be a million) the night before the Big Day, dressing up, the stories, etc. I'm sure all the parents out there know. And then, there's the day when my little Scooby Doo tells your little angel that there is no Santa. So, you have to call me and ask why he did that and I have to explain how we raised our child; that night you have to calm your little angel before putting them to bed, assuring them that its not the end of the world and that Santa most definitely is the hero of Christmas... (inhale)... see what I mean? Jesus is the only way...

And in honor of my Christmas spirit, I'm posting our Christmas Family Photo- its a gem. :)

Merry Christmas!!!