Smith family Christmas #2

We are just three days away from one of the best holidays of the year. This is the first year I've never had to travel, and I'm reminded of what Christmas is really suppose to be about because I actually have time to sit, reflect, and be thankful for all God has done in my life. Not to mention His amazing gift of eternal life!  No matter how busy this season seems to be, and no matter how much the world tries to get you to panic and run around like a chicken without your head, I want to encourage you to sit in front of your lit-up Christmas tree, or whatever star-like element you can conjure up in your home (maybe a candle or something if you couldn't get any lights this year), and put on some classical "O Holy Night" music, and just take ten minutes out of your busy life to thank God for your blessings. Thank Him for all He does and remember that life is really really short, so there is no reason to let it pass by with a bunch of stress and frown lines! This may seem easier said than done this year, but trust me, the more you make a point to do it, the more it will happen on a regular basis.

I am getting so many ideas for NEXT year from pinterest, friends, and just random ideas popping into my head.

Next year's traditions:
1. Advent Jesse Tree
2. Buy really tacky Christmas sweaters to wear Christmas morning (they are all gone from Goodwill already!)
3. Make some homemade wreaths
4. Wrap presents with really crafting cute brown paper bags, twine, and left over tree trimmings (instead of ducktape cause I ran out of scotch tape)
5. Get better stocking stuffers (Matthew has no idea how sad his stocking will be-- Santa didn't have a lot to work with this year)
6. Eat less white chocolate chex mix so as not to induce nausea every time (I never learn my lesson)


This years traditions:

Matthew took even days and I took odd. We surprised each other every day with a little goodies.
I have to say that I'm pretty pumped to fill the big 25!

Burlap stocking and a burlap tree skirt! I am loving burlap right now.
I'd love to figure out how to stitch our names on them though.

We also plan to go to the Christmas Eve service at church, watch Home Alone afterward with a giant cheese pizze "just for me", and bake a birthday cake for Jesus!  I love starting new traditions!

~Christmas CubBuster