What Christmas is ALL About!!

Our Christmas was probably the best one ever!

My Hunny and I said several times that the hustle and bustle of gift-buying, wrapping and exchanging that we are used to, is way over-rated. This year, my Hunny is jobless so that means being creative this time of year. We decided to only give gifts to our kids (not to our parents, in-laws or outlaws!!) and we were planning to only give them 3 gifts each even before he lost his job, so that is what we did!! It was SOOOO hard to stick to it!! He wanted to fill their stockings in addition to the three gifts. I wanted to buy just "one more thing!" But we did it!! Our kids know the financial crunch that we are facing too. And do you know . . . . they were SOOO thankful and grateful for what they got, which wasn't much!! They never cease to amaze me!! There were plenty of other gifts to unwrap. Nana and PopPop sent their gifts in the mail and so did aunts and uncles, so we still had a sea of wrapping paper amongst the gifts.

I was talking with someone else who only buys the children one gift each and he totally agreed with us! When you "tone it down" you feel out of touch with others that over indulge in the commercialism! I watched Charlie Brown with a new perspective this year! "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about??"

Carley Plays for a Crowd

Last night Carley performed in her first piano recital. She did such a great job!! She was second on the program and she was soooo nervous that she prayed the entire trip to the church where the recital was held. (That was a solid 45 minutes!!) She did so great and I am so proud that she decided to ask Jesus to calm her nerves. She was calm as could be!! It was neat to see other students perform at a much higher level. Carley saw what kind of pieces she will be playing in the future!! She did awesome!!

Life is so busy!!

I just love this blogging thing! Becky introduced me to it almost a year ago and I really love to post what we are up to! But life is getting the best of me right now!! Things are so hectic and it doesn't seem like it is going to slow down any time soon! I have a habit of thinking, "When we finish . . . . this event . . . things will calm down and they won't be so busy!!" But they never really do! So I am thinking that things are just going to stay busy!! Maybe if I think more along those lines . . . I'll get more done!! :o)

So here's a quick update:
Carley and Camden just finished up their Christmas program at church. They did awesome, of course! Carley did a dance with the cheerleaders. She looked so cute in her little costume! Camden was in the choir. He got to say a line to a bible verse and hold up a card that had letters spelling a word on it. It was so cute because he held us his "E" backwards!! So did half the rest of the children!! It was so Camden!! This was his first time in the Christmas program and he did a great job!!

The kids have also been invited to a plethora of birthday parties this month!!! It's crazy! One of them have a party almost every weekend! Those December babies have to make sure they aren't overlooked with the Christmas season so they make sure everyone gets a big shin-dig party!! FUN . . . but busy!

This week Carley has her fist piano recital! That is exciting and the piano has been in constant use!! She is excited and nervous all at the same time!! I am so proud of her! She has practiced and she will do great!!

We also went on a trip to Ft Lauderdale about 2 weeks ago! That put me behind more than anything!!! The kids had fun and we all got to see the family again!! The kids loved going to the "Swamp Safari" and getting to hold a baby alligator!! I even held it!! I have a pic! I have been so busy, that I haven't even downloaded the pics off the camera yet!!

. . . AND between all of this . . . Christmas is next week!! Yeah that's right next week in like 9 days and I am not finished shopping! SO I am trying to find time to check off my "to do" lists that keep choking me!!

I must confess that my house is in shambles and I am beginning to get ANNOYED with it!! It seems like we are bursting at the seems! All the Christmas decor is out and makes for a cluttered garage for now!! The clutter is . . . everywhere, really! I never had clutter before!! I think it is a combination between living in a small house with all these kiddos AND not moving in almost 4 years!! (That is what helped me keep the clutter down before . . . when you move, you throw stuff away in order to NOT have to move it!!) . . . and now we are going to add another baby to the cluttered mess! I told my Hunny . . . We have got to make room for this baby!! So, I am tossing stuff left and right!! Thanks to Flylady.net I have a plan of attack on the clutter and I plan to take it one area of the house at a time!! I am going crazy!! . . . . But not for long . . . I am on the prowl and if it is dusty or is still in it's box . . . it probably means we don't NEED it!! :o) I will post on my progress!!

Somewhere within all this mess my husband and I have found some time to seek the Lord MORE and listen to Him MORE!! Shannon has been job searching for several months now and we are taking the time to seek God in ways we never have before! Just being intentional and diligent in seeking Him has made such a difference in my heart and the way I see Him!! He has spoken to me because I have taken the time to sit and listen!! I am in awe at His providential hand!! He is Jehovah Jirah - my provider! I am so thankful for all he has done for us this Christmas season and always!!

I hope you have a great Christmas too!