Christmas Eve...Food, Family, and Awesome Gifts

Every Christmas Eve we have my mom and stepfather, and my brother and his family over for presents and dinner. We always have way too much food and probably way to many presents, but boy we have fun. I love getting together with my family. My brother is one of my best friends and I love the time we spend together. And, of course, my mom is well, she's my mom. What else can you say. She's a great mom and I love her so much.

I have to show you what she made me for Christmas. I think she is one talented lady and very creative. I wish I could do just a little of what she does. Thankfully, she shares her talents with me by giving me what she's made. I have always been, and still am, a little spoiled...maybe a lot spoiled, by my mama. Just being real here. Forty one and still spoiled; I hope it never changes.

We had a huge breakfast for Christmas Eve dinner. I love breakfast for supper.


My mom and stepdad. Mom always loves to watch us open the gifts she has so thoughtfully picked out. It excites her to see our expressions.

My brother, nephew and his wife.

My sister-in law and neice.


The awesome, incredible, wonderful placemats my mom made from Coffee Bean bags. Can you tell I love them?


Didn't she do great?

And my bag. I lOVE this bag.

Again, I say, LOVE...Thanks mom, for knowing just what I like.

Phone Call From Mrs. Claus

Faith gets a phone call from Santa Claus every Christmas Eve. I know, isn't that so cool. I would love to have Santa call me, but I guess he's just too busy or I haven't been nice enough. Well, this year, not only did Santa call Faith, but Mrs. Claus called her also.

On Christmas Eve Eve, Faith got a phone call from Santa's better half. She told Faith that she was on the "very nice" list. Not the nice list but the very nice list. You cannot imagine what that meant to her to hear that she had been that good. It was so funny because later Faith told me she was very surprised to hear that she had made the "very nice" list because she really didn't think she had been that good this year. She's just being real... (seven year old sister with seventeen year old brother=not always so good)

Mrs. Claus also asked about Keith and Beth, which just solidified in Faith's mind that this really was Mrs. Claus because she knew her brother and sister's name.

And, evidently, Mrs. Claus is a little concerned about Santa's weight because she asked Faith not to leave out as many cookies this year so that he wouldn't eat so much.

Oh, Mrs. Claus, thank you for calling our house this year. You made a little girl's day by getting an unexpected phone call from such a neat lady. And, thanks, Mrs. Claus, for letting Santa be gone all Christmas Eve night delivering presents to little boys and girls around the world. You are very unselfish to share him on such a special night.

Questions for Santa

Every year our children try to stump Santa with their questions. We have a tradition of writing a letter to Santa Claus every Christmas Eve night. Well, a few years ago, the kids decided there were some things they needed to know about Old Saint Nick. There have been questions like: Santa are you a Christian? Do you go to church and if so, where? Did Rudolph get his feelings hurt when all the other reindeer laughed at his nose? Did his daddy really not like his nose either? What about grass? Is there grass at the North Pole. Are the elves really children or are they grown ups that are just shorter. Were you really dropped off on the porch at the Kringle's house and have the name Kris Kringle before you became Santa? And for the last few years, my children ask Santa for hoof prints of his reindeer. This was something my now fourteen year old came up with several years back and has now prompted her little sister to ask for the same thing. This year Faith asked for six different copies of the hoofprints so that she could share them with her friends who don't believe. She is going to give them each their own copy.

Now, you're probably thinking there is no way to get Rudolph or any other of the reindeer to take time out of their busy flight and delivery schedule to leave their print. But, oh my friend, you are wrong. We got the proof that Faith wanted. She has their muddy footprints ready and waiting right now to give out to all "unbelievers".

Oh yeah, Faith also asked for Santa to wake her up this year so she could go out and see Rudolph. Sadly, Faith is a very sound sleeper and evidently Santa came in to the room and gave her a kiss on her cheek to try and wake her up, but it didn't work. She slept right through Santa's kiss. At least that's what Santa said in his reply letter to the kids.

By the way, Santa is a Christian and does go to church. He also said that there is grass at the North Pole but it is always covered by blankets of snow. As for what she has seen in the old classic movies, well, he told her not to believe everything she saw in the movies.

He also said that our family had been very good this year and to continue to be kind to one another and make sure that the kids mind their mommy and daddy throughout the year. He also enjoyed the cookies and milk we left for him and the carrots were all eaten by the reindeer.

Boy, Santa sure is a good guy. He was very generous this year in his giving and we sure do thank him for all his hard work and for all the awesome gifts.

Thanks, Santa Claus, see you next year.

Merry CHRISTmas

I have to admit that I do get caught up in all the excitement this time of year. I love the shopping, decorating, baking, wrapping, and all the other "stuff" that goes along with Christmas. I love the anticipation and the preparations for the big day.





But, I want to tell you that I love the reason we celebrate CHRISTmas so much more. I love that their was a precious, innocent babe born in a manger. I love that this baby loved me so much that He was born to die for me. An innocent, spotless, perfect little baby. This baby, King Jesus, is why I celebrate.




He is Lord of Lords, King of Kings. He is my Savior, my Redeemer. He is my Father, my Daddy. He is my Rock, my Fortress, my Strong Tower. He is my Counselor, my Teacher. He is who I have found freedom in. He is who wipes my tears away and keeps my standing. He is my shoulder, my strength. He is ever present. He is dependable. He is my true love. He is who died so that I could live.




THANK YOU BABY JESUS AND HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!




I have to add that as I sit and write this, I think about being in heaven and celebrating Jesus' birthday with Him. We have a son that is in heaven, and I can only imagine him being at Jesus' birthday party. Can you imagine? A birthday party for The King!!! What excitement...what joy...what jubilation...what shouts of hallelujahs!!! I can only imagine!!!





I love you this morning, Jesus!! I love you each and every second of each and every day. Thank you!!

Faith's Added Touches

Faith added her sweet touch to my sleigh flower arrangement on my dining room server. She put Santa on top and turned her Build A Bear puppy into a full fledged reindeer with antlers and all. She even made a harness out of yarn so that Santa could direct the reindeer to all of our homes.

I have to admit that my first reaction was to take Santa off my pretty, put together arrangment. And then I came to my senses and decided I was crazy to undo such a sweet thing that my little one had done. What's more important; decorating or Faith? I vote Faith, hands down.

We Talked to Santa

We took the kids last night to see Santa and let him know our Christmas wishes. Faith had her list all put together. She asked him for a real drum set, Barbie stuff and surprises. She is also going to ask for a dog, but she is not letting her daddy know this request because he has nixed that idea for now. She has the idea that she can bypass daddy and Santa will bring it anyway. I guess we'll see.

And, for the record, I still make my big kids sit with Santa and have their picture made. They are very good at making mom happy and satisfying my need for them to still be "young".

Faith said this Santa didn't learn very much at Santa school because he didn't have the right laugh, nor did he talk quite right. She knows this is only Santa's helper anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

Santa will be here soon. Only 3 more days to go, and the big guy in the red suit will be coming to our house. I, for one, can't wait. I am still on the nice list and can't wait to see what he has for me. What about you all? Are you on the nice list or the naughty list?

Faith filling Santa's ears with her Christmas wishes.Of course, Chloe also got to sit on Santa's lap.

Wonder what Santa told her? Maybe, that Daddy and Bubby were on the naughty list.All of my babies with Old Saint Nick.

A Song I Love

I have to share a song with you guys that I absolutley love. I love the words. I love the beat. I love everything about it.

Hope you enjoy it!

This is the actual music video for it.

http://www.needtobreathe.net/video/lay-em-down/