Blessings

I am thankful this year we as a family decided to have a smaller scale Christmas. We had a family discussion back around the end of September and decided to not go all out on things we really did not need or would use once maybe twice. I showed the kids what I had in mind for a handmade gift and they LOVED them. I have now finished each of the gifts and they have no idea what the final product looks like so that will be the surprise part of the gift on Christmas morning. I can not wait!!

My hubby even implemented the same game plan when we were at his holiday party. He thought about picking the Red Lobster gift card that would be used once and in the end we would have had to pay out of pocket for the overage with our large family but instead picked the Electric Skillet that he knew would benefit our family on a much larger scale. OH BTW ,We didn't wait to open it on Christmas it got used the next day ...LOL!

I know it sounds like we are taking the cheap way out but it isn't just about money. Yes four months of heart attack inducing AC bills did help push the money tightness issue but the main thing in all our minds was this holiday season we all wanted us to make memories and be together. This will most likely be the last Christmas with all three of my kids under our roof..... Come summer I might be birdless times two. Now having one child in house does have its shiny " holy cow we only have one kid to clothe and feed" thoughts but it also has it's " holy cow I have only ONE baby in house" thoughts. That knowledge is what drove us to our Memories Christmas idea.

We have had many Christmas movie snoogle nights. LOTS of hot cocoa, thanks to the polar air that has invaded Okieland. This weekend we have candy and cookie making planned. What a better way to spend the weekend before Christmas... not shopping but gathered around paenut butter, cookie cutters, almond bark and family.

I have always said that it is the small things in life that truely make one happy. This Christmas is proving that saying ten times over. I am so blessed to have children and family that know Christmas is not about the cost of a gift OR the ribbons and bows. I am so blessed to have children and family that know it is about our hearts and our minds.... the love we have in our hearts and the never ending loop of memories that play out like movies we have in our minds. That is what will last for years to come... long after the toy breaks or the game has been beaten a milliuon times... all that will need to be done is to close your eyes and there it will be.... the true gift ... the laughs, the tears, the memories. No one can ever put a price on that.

With ALL my heart I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and Holiday season. May your Loop be filled with much joy and love.

Christi