WHAT THIS SEASON MEANS TO ME

Feels like Christmas week comes and goes so quick. We wait all year for this magical month full of festivities where traditions are made, baking cookies are a must, big families gather together, the food makes our hearts & belly full and before we know it.. it is GONE! It is certainly my favorite holiday and the one I hate to put away when it involves taking down the tree and all the bright & shiny decor that comes along with it. This year we did not start our Christmas decorations until a week after Thanksgiving (I know I was so behind) so with much reason I feel I haven't fully enjoyed it all. I just don't want it to end!

December always brings exciting new things and also another year for my baby girl Elyse, who recently turned 4 this month. Seeing her grow these past years have been a blessing and true gift to me. I look at her and think, "where did my tiny baby go?", and I am now more mindful of what Christmas means to me. It couldn't be more true as to why we celebrate this holiday. Jesus is the reason for this season. His love, hope, and faith on us all. I truly believe in the power of Christmas. The ability to open our hearts and love one another, bring hope to the ones who need it the most, and finding our way to renew our faith during this joyful season. 

Elyse Nicole -1yr old

 I have learned over the years and since becoming a mother that Christmas is not about the material things, the gifts, nor who has more. No it is none of those! But the innocent faces we see on Christmas morning like this. The genuine happiness they receive is pure magic... and no its not just about the gifts, its about his presence and how we are given this opportunity to make it special for the people that we love. Makes me think of how my parents felt each year on Christmas Eve, the night before Christmas we all gathered to pray and sing lullabies and Christmas songs to baby Jesus as we hold and kissed him around the Christmas tree. These are the memories I carry from my childhood and what I wish to pass on to my kids in the future. The traditions my childhood holds onto is celebrating Jesus Christ before our evening family dinner and before we exchanged and opened gifts.

This year I was extra thankful for my family's health. We went through a bad week of all of us getting the stomach virus, one by one and then once I thought they were getting better I ended sick myself and it hit me realizing how I wasn't done wrapping gifts, or shopping for last minute items, hadn't even picked out a gift for my husband yet, and it made me sad to know I was not going to be able to enjoy my mom's delicious food on Christmas Eve. Sometimes the holidays can be stressful and get the best of us. Bad times make us appreciate the little things that are actually the bigger things. My only wish last week was to have healthy babies to celebrate with. I was so happy I was able to enjoy them as we all felt 100% better that Saturday morning. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas, surrounded by family and loved ones and find the simplicity of what this holiday is all about! 

How do you and your family celebrate this season?