My Favorite Time of Year!

11/14/2010
Yesterday (Sat. Nov. 13th 2010) we, as a family, went and bought a new Christmas tree.  Since we usually put it up right after Thanksgiving anyway and it is only 2 weeks away, we decided to go ahead and put it up.  The tree stands 7 1/2 feet tall and it is covered in beautiful colored lights.  We put it up the same day that we bought it.  

The kids were so exited when we told them they could help us put the tree up!  It was kind of hard for them to help, but they sat and watched in amazement while Lance and I put up the tree.  The baby was even watching us while he was in his bouncy seat.  We worked non-stop until the tree was up.  Once we plugged in the lights, we noticed there was a section of lights that were not working.  About this time, we decided that it was time for the kids to go to bed.  After we got the kids in the bed, tried to figure out the problem with the lights on the tree.  I was worried when we checked the fuse and nothing happened and we had almost checked all of the bulbs and still nothing.  Finally, the last one that Lance touched, he realized it was loose.  He pushed it back in and all the lights came on.  I was so relieved to see all of the lights working.  

This morning, I woke up and had to go to the doctor because I was coughing terribly and I could feel it in my chest.  I was diagnosed with bronchitis.  I was just glad to get some medicine to help it.  I came home and we all ate lunch.  After lunch, I turned on the Christmas tree.  The look on the kids' face was priceless.  It is so wonderful to see something so simple be so satisfying and enjoyable for them.  I let them enjoy the tree for a few minutes then I put all of the kids down for a nap.  Then Lance left for work and I took my medicine (which had codeine in it so it put me to sleep).  I laid down on the couch and slept for 4 hours.  Hayli and Austin, when they woke up from their naps, came and sat down in the living room and watched tv.  Houston slept as long as I did.  I am so thankful for a baby that is a good sleeper. 

I fixed the kids some Chef Boyardee for dinner.  Hayli had spagghetti, Austin had Spagghettios, and I had lasagna.  After the kids finished their dinner, I gave them some ice cream.  I then decided to go up in the attic and pull down all of the ornaments and Christmas decorations that we have.  In amongst the ornaments were a package of plastic icicles and a package of plastic snowflakes all sprinkled with silver glitter.  I told the kids that they could each put the icicles and snowflakes on the tree.  They got so excited and enjoyed doing the job.  Those were the first ornaments ever put on the tree.  They asked if they could do more, and I explained to them that we would wait until daddy was home to do the rest.  They were so proud of themselves for putting their ornaments on the tree.  Hayli did all of the snowflakes without help, and Austin would hand me the icicles, and I would put them on the tree.  Of course, I had to go back after Hayli was done and spread the snowflakes out more but I still told her that she did a beautiful job.

Christmas is an amazing time of year.  People seem to be happier and nicer and everything smells "yummy" lol.  Riding around is beautiful in itself because Christmas is when all the houses are lit up.
I love Christmas because everywhere I look I am reminded of what Jesus has done for us.  On Christmas, you can find a nativity scene anywhere.  Even at the homes of those who don't attend church!  That in itself tells me that God is in the hearts of many people who don't even realize it.  It sometimes almost brings me to tears just thinking about it.  Many people speak of Christmas as just a time for giving gifts and say they don't believe the "religious" part of it, yet the songs you hear them singing are those of Christ at Christmas time!  No matter what you say, or where you go, or what you do, there is no running away from the truth about Christmas.  That is what I absolutely love about Christmas!

That is why Christmas is my favorite time of year!