Twas the night before Christmas......

and all through our house, all the creatures are finally NOT stirring - especially NOT a mouse (do the tarantulas on the counter count as mice??? At least they're contained.....)

.....the children are all snuggled up in their beds with visions of Santa and presents filling their heads (and envisioning getting up at the crack of dawn - gosh - better turn the clocks back - it's the greatest trick EVER!)

.....the stockings were hung -er - laid on the couch with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there........

.....with Momma in her new jammies and Dad in his cap - er - nope - his new jammies too...... just settling in for a long - er - short winters nap :)

.....when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but boxes and bags and things to bring Christmas cheer :)

.....Santa was there, not so round, or so jolly (long days of shopping on Christmas eve day with other men can make one a tad tired.....) but still went to his work and was done in a jiffy.......

.....and I heard him exclaim as he crawled into bed, Merry Christmas to all, and I'm glad that this year, it's small.......

Merry Christmas and God Bless.........

Once there was a snowman, snowman, snowman.......

Ohhhh - man - snowball hands and white washed by dad - you'd think they'd learn ;)


Hmmm - I hate cold things - but there might be something to this eating snow thing.......


Preparation......


Hiding and cowering ;)





Perfection :)


Spray paint - who knew snow grafiti could be so fun......

DeCk ThE HaLlS............

Heyyyyyy - that's ME!!!!!!




















The reason for the season............

Sunday Grains of Gratitude......

Will wonders never cease - it's Sunday and I'm posting my grains - yayyyy!

This week I'm grateful.....

that the hubs was in town all week and was so helpful with driving kids places and going to parent/student type things when we had overlapping activities!

that I got my Christmas cards and letters done! First batch is already in the mail - second batch going out tomorrow!!!

that most of my Christmas shopping for the younger kids is complete - now I just need to figure out things for the big kids (in our budget) and wrap!

that Brady is finally on some antibiotics and they are helping a bit - yayyy! He has been so miserable and grumpy, and is starting to come out of it a bit - what a relief - for him and for us ;)

that Big K came home today to help decorate our Christmas trees with us! She isn't feeling too great - so we are praying that she will be feeling better soon - but we are grateful that she took the time to come home and share in this family tradition with us!

that our Christmas decorating is done! We didn't do outdoor lights this year, to save moolah, but the inside is definitely looking a lot more festive than it did last week! I think I'm feeling some Christmas spirit!!!!

that I got to listen to a bit of the Christmas devotional, and feel of the spirit, and remember the true reason for the season. I pray that we will all impart of our time, as well as our money, for those in need. Sometimes it just doean't take much - just a phone call to someone feeling down, or shoveling someone's walks, or even a smile or a compliment can make a difference. You never know how much of a difference even a small act of service can make in the life of someone!

that I get to see the magic and wonder on Brady's face as we pull out Christmas stuff and do our Christmas traditions. He still doesn't completely get the whole Santa Claus thing, but, he remembers Christmas, and the songs, and is just so excited about everything. I love to watch his face as he recalls the traditions, and as he gets so excited about each little thing - it makes Christmas that much more magical and meaningful for the rest of us :)

What are YOU grateful for today????

December already????

It's month number 12 - already - how can that be???? Really - I was just bemoaning the end of summer break - what - like last week???? Okay - maybe a few more than one just last week ago - I'm trying to put our months of flu and sickness our of my mind ;) It really is December..... Christmas music on the radio, kids filling out Christmas lists, C chomping at the bit to get the house decorated, Big K gearing up for finals (I hope and pray???), Christmas cards and letters being written and sent, treats being made, trees being decorated, and shoppers looking for a great deal! Yup - it's definitely December......

But - for some reason it just doesn't feel like December - maybe because the weather has been pretty decent (if a bit chilly), maybe because my house is still a little decorated for Thanksgiving (and the hubs just barely removed the paper plate skeletons that Brady and Little K made for Halloween out of the front window where they were forgotten LOL), maybe because we decided not to put up Christmas lights this year to save money? Who knows the reason - maybe my heart is 3 sizes too small LOLOL

But - I'm hoping to be feeling jolly and sprite, and catch Momma kissing Santa Clause, and focus on the reason for the season - with some true Christmas spirit and December joy here soon!!!!

Happy December!!!