Just around the Corner

I have to say this season has not been the traditional this year...for starters, I didn't put up a single Christmas decoration this year-no tree, no lights, just a small fisher price nativity toy for the kids that they received as a family home evening gift from grandma. Don't worry, my kids still helped put up decorations and a Christmas tree with grandma and They are experiencing all the Christmas fun, but I chose not to do ours, for one because I have no room in my basement anymore. Penny's crib is now where we once put our Christmas Tree. Which is fine by me, it only makes me think of how grateful I am to have her sweet spirit here this Christmas... But 'Room' is not the main reason I didn't put mine up...to be honest, I've been a bit of a Christmas Scrooge. I can't believe I'm about to spill my guts here but since we're being honest...I don't like presents for Christmas-there I said it. I enjoy watching my kids and family open presents and I get way more enjoyment from that than from opening my own. Rick asked me what I wanted and my response to that is that he takes care of me every other day of the year. He provides for me and our family and makes it possible for me to buy the new socks for Lincoln, the children's allowance movie, the shirt I finally decided to splurge and buy for myself. I like to buy when I need something not when I'm being forced to spend a bunch of money BECAUSE everyone else is doing it. ....spending large amounts of money makes me sick to my stomach-quite literally. It hasn't always been this way for me. I remember a Christmas where I spent a lot of money on Rick's gifts, but I've also had the opportunity to have some Christmas' where there wasn't money to spend and it humbled me. I saw Christmas with my eyes wide open and I don't want to go back. I still made some Christmas presents this year as I did during our poorer Christmas'. I get more excited about giving them than I do about any that I buy. I was talking to my children the other day and I said to them, lets play a game (while we were waiting in the car), Let's think of our most favorite Christmas gift we've gotten. It  made me happy when Lizzie chose one that was made with love.
I hope I can teach my children the truest meaning of CHRISTMAS and that they may have their eyes opened early on. I am so grateful for my life, my family, all that we have and the blessing of seeing Christmas in the truest sense of the word. I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas! and I pray that we all take a moment or more to remember the Saviors part in all of it. I am so grateful for my Savior, I have come to rely on Him more than ever in the last few years and He has never disappointed. I have a Testimony, my most prized possession, A testimony of my Savior, His birth, His life and the Example He set for all of us.
And taken from the Lyrics of Halelujah
"..I know You came to rescue me.
This baby boy who'd grow to be
a man who'd one day die
for me and you.."
I have a testimony of the Savior's Atoning sacrifice and I Love Him.