Christmas Spirit

I feel so blessed this year to have such a wonderful husband and children. What has put me in the Christmas spirit the most this year is knowing that Dan and I have the whole weekend off work. That is pretty incredible with us both being in professions where we work 12 hour day/night shifts. I will have the whole weekend with my husband and children!

We are having friends and family over tomorrow night for eggnog and fondue. Then on Sunday, we will have Dan's family over for a prime rib dinner. Appreciating friends and family is very important.

My children have been the next biggest influence in putting me in the Christmas spirit. Caleb is so into it this year. Earlier this week I found him lying under the Christmas tree singing "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". He has mastered all of the words frome watching "Polar Express". You can also ask him who's birthday it is on Christmas and he will tell you "Jesus". I took the boys with me to the grocery store tonight to get our supplies and Caleb could be heard singing "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" throughout the store. I even joined in a couple of times.

What saddens me and frustrates me though is the whole issue of saying "Happy Holidays" vs "Merry Christmas". How did this turn into the mess it did. I am a "Merry Christmas" person and am not ashamed to say it loud and clear to anyone. I also have become discouraged over the past couple of years by the increasing commercialization of Christmas and focus on presents. I am focusing in on these things less and less and do not feel presents should emphasized as much as they are. I hope my kids can learn from me and not feed into these things.

I feel like my family has made this such a wonderful Christmas that I don't need anything else!