-Christmas 2016-

I'm not sure why Christmas just didn't feel like Christmas this year. The entire month of December went by so fast, we were so busy that we didn't have time to just stop and enjoy the season. I hate that! I hate how busy and hectic life gets sometimes. Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I found myself in a bad mood more often than a good one this year. However; I will say that this is the first Christmas ever that I have literally not cared to receive one gift. You might think that sounds awful because Jesus is ultimately the perfect gift that any of us have received and that's all that matters. You're right, He is. Children and even some adults have a difficult time realizing that it is not about the gifts. I wanted to start our own traditions with Olivia after she was born. I wanted to bake cookies for Santa, read a Christmas book every night in the month of December, take her to see the lights, and other traditions. Once again the month was so busy that none of that happened this year and that makes me so so sad. I feel like Bradley and I are working ALL the time and she's always at Preschool. We're either at basketball games or getting home late because of work hours. Have I mentioned that I hate this? I want to be present! In my life, in my child's life, in our marriage, with our family, at church. I want to be present! Christmas will never ever be like it was this year. I won't let it. We will take the time to enjoy one another and if that means letting some things go, that's what we will do. On Christmas morning we woke up early so Liv could open her gifts and we could get ready for church. She loved being in the comfort of our own home after a long trip to my parents. She was excited to open gifts with Mama and Daddy and she kept going up to the video camera and telling it all about her new toys. She has outgrown almost all of her clothes and shoes. I didn't know if we would make it until Christmas for her to get new clothes. I had to break out one pair of boots a week before because her little feet were so cramped in the ones she had. She grows so stinkin fast. The girl loves clothes and shoes. This might be the only Christmas that she will appreciate socks and clothes but hey! they're necessities. She loved everything she got and the look of surprise with every gift she opened was priceless. We then went to church and she was so exhausted. We had a great lesson on the significance of the manger that baby Jesus was laid in. I love learning about Jesus and the history of His birth. It was so great to have service on Christmas morning.