MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I've been so caught up in getting birthday stuff ready that Christmas has snuck up on me. I've done most of my shopping, but there are still a few that I'm missing. Christmas has been tough on us the last two years though. Last year a new baby on the way had us worked up, and this year has just been tough all together. We are buying for Michael (of course), and our brothers and sisters and that basically it. We are buying for a couple of "draw" names for work and whatnot, but that's the only exceptions. I feel terrible about this, but that has made me think more about the true meaning of Christmas. It isn't about who you buy for or how many present you buy them, or even what it is...we are celebrating the birth of our Savior. Christmas is about teaching that message to future generations, spending time with family, laughing, and thanking God that we are able to be together. It kills me to think about all of our soldiers that are fighting for our country and loosing valuable time with their own families to do so. Whether you "support" the war or not, we all have to support the troops and the families they've left behind. My son is so young right now that he doesn't understand the concept of a birthday, or Christmas, or Santa so maybe I hav the perfect opportunity to teach him the most important Christmas traditions, instead of the traditions that aren't as valuable. Just a thought. I don't want to sound like a scrooge because actually I'm really very excited about Christmas. I'm just a different kind of excited this year. I get to teach my son that Christmas is Jesus' birthday.

SO-all of that being said.....MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!