Christmas Prep

It is less than a week before Christmas and I'm feeling pretty ready....

I just have a few gifts to pick up. Most of the presents are wrapped and under the tree. The tree is decorated and placed in our new "Cabin" room. Our Christmas cards are all sent. This year I actually took care of the cards - since I don't have finals to worry about now! How wonderful it is to be done with grad school!! I'm really glad that I did it - and I learned a ton. But I'm so much more relaxed now without having classes 2 nights a week - and homework and projects, etc.

Even more important than all of the external holiday prep is my heart prep. And I'm really amazed and thankful that Jesus chose to become a humble helpless baby for me. It's a challenge to keep Jesus as the center of the Christmas season. Boo asked me yesterday why Santa brings big things to the neighbor kids but only brings stocking stuff to us. I told him that his Daddy and I have a deal with Santa that we get to give him the "big stuff". Boo was a little confused by that. But we made a conscious decision when the kids were little that Santa wasn't going to be the focus. And part of that is selfishness on my part, as I don't want "Santa" to get the glory of bringing my kids what they've wanted for so long. And also I just don't want Santa to overshadow the Christ child. Peanut already knows the Santa secret. Boo will probably figure it out eventually. But I'm not in a hurry to rush it. Childhood is too short anyway.

Our new couch and recliner have arrived. They are just wonderful. Tim is making good progress on the wood trim. The fireplace is just lovely. I took a nap yesterday in the recliner under my afghan... I feel such peace and blessing being in the "Cabin" room.