Are you ready for Christmas?

[wildberries61]

I love the month of Dec. it comes from my mom. She always made Christmas special we never even realized weather we were rich or poor she just made it happen and that is what I do with my kids. My oldest just turned 18 yesterday and we have always made his birthday separate from Christmas.

We wait and get the tree the following weekend and I have tried to make it more about the Reason for the Season. We decorate and bake and play Christmas music and try not to get to involved in the commercializing of it. We do live in a very small town with major stores being 2 hours away so we don't go in and out of stores all month. We have a Rite-Aid and 2 grocery stores so we are not distracted by all the keeping up with the Jones.

Remembering our lost loved ones can be the most difficult. fun in the sun sorry for you loss. I know losing so much in a short time is hard to catch your breath. I lost my mom a year ago in Oct. my best friend since our junior year in H.S past away in Aug of this year she was only 45 and my dad is probably not going to make it much longer his been in and out of the hospital for 3 weeks now and his 89. I just keep in mind the good Lord has a better plan and thats what keeps me going forward with a smile on my face.

As a child I just remember all the fantasy of Christmas it seems like that is being taken away from our children. I remember when my mom would ask what I wanted I was aware of money and wouldn't ask for much now kids are asking for toys that cost $200.00+ the fun is being ruined. I believe its the time you spend together and the memories you make together will last longer then the toy you are still in debit for after its all over. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

[my3arabs]

I remember wanting snow for x-mas and always having nice warm sunny days, haha. I was born and raised in Ventura CA, and showed my horse in Morepark the place that is burning right now.

I love the white x-mas that ID has and we have made a tradition of going for long drives on x-mas day to see all of the country side. Last yr we took our oldest son fishing at Salmon Falls Creek Res. on x-mas day.

I was ready for x-mas then my cat decided to play with the balls on the tree when she has never done this before so now I have to go buy some more!

[izzy]

My 3 year old is moving balls on the tree. She has been redecorating it since I put it up. We are making fudge, banana bread, and pumpkin bread to put in holiday baskets for friends. I'm going to have the kids help. We'll see how tired I am tonight, from them helping

Got all my xmas shopping done. Spent more than I wanted too. But it is done and I can just bake and wrap now. We will be doing church activities this week so the kids remember what xmas is really all about. He is the reason for the season.

Well the kids found me and can't stand it that I'm on the computer. So got to go. Catch you later.

Izzy

[my3arabs]

I have a friend in MA that said the x-mas tress in NYC are selling for $400! It looks like Charlie Brown's x-mas is coming true.

Our x-mas as a kid was getting fudge, cookies, cakes baked for friends then running all over town to deliver them. Then on x-mas eve we would go to my grandparents and pick them up and bring them to our horse over night. We couldn't get up before a certain time and we all had to have a glass of orange juice before we passed out the gifts. Then we would run up to where our horses were, at my grandparents, and feed them and I would sneek in a x-mas day ride.

My husband is worse than our kids. He is up at 4am and trying to wake the kids up. This yr he is picking up the gifts in his truck so they can't find them here and he will put them under the tree x-mas eve when he gets home. He did let loose that he is getting me a Cocker Spaniel for x-mas, our anniversary and my b-day. So now I will have my cuddle bug while my hubby is on the road and my cat will have some thing else to interest her besides the tree and speakers LOL.

[izzy]

A puppy! How exciting. My little pom is such a good dog with kids. I've heard cockers are too. I'm like your husband I wake everyone up before the sun comes up. Then after all the present opening...I take a couch nap. Then we have a small breakfast and get the spiral ham on. Put the bread rolls out to rise and start the prep for the feast. We do it real casual for xmas just put everything out and folks help themselves when their ready.

I made 10 lbs of fudge last night...all different kinds. Tomorrow is bread making banana and pumpkin bread.

Well the little one wants me so I better go.

Catch you later.

Izzy

[my3arabs]

Izzy...do you have the Deseret cook book? If not try to get one cuz they have great easy receipes in it. I use the pancake and sugar cookie ones a lot. Also, the Best Ever Cookies, by Nestle, is another great cook book that has tons of nummies for x-mas. I was looking at both today to make some cookies but I don't have all of the stuff for it, have to wait till pay day.

Ask your Relief Society Pres about the cook book if you don't have it.

Take care!