CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

It's Christmas time! Yippy! This weekend it's Santa and crafts with the family and then the parade! (So bummed when it was canceled last year)

I have a tree up and most presents taken care of. My house is all decorated inside and out. Even have my recipes planned out for treats for the rest of this month. I just LOVE this time of year!

Ack! I want to watch a million Christmas movies, I am listening to music all the time. Singing all the time. Vinny is having so much fun this year. He understands all about Santa now, so he is excited to see him.

The lights around town are just lovely. I got to go to the Star Trees lighting at Willamette and a wonderful music program after with a dear friend. It is just so much fun. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

But you really want to know some of what I am most excited about? Our food drive at the shop. I LOVE seeing that barrel fill more and more each check out. I love seeing the kindness of our customers represented as they bring in more that the 4 cans to get a discount, just so they can help others.

And Vinny is learning from it. We have had many conversations about those less fortunate than us. We just finished going through our coats and set aside a few to take to Helping Hands. And I talked to him about how excited I am to be a part of our Relief Society activity this next week, where we are putting together stockings for people in shelters.

I want Christmas to be as much (if not more) about giving to others when we have been blessed with so much. We may struggle and sometimes it's hard to see how we are going to make it another month, but we have a roof over our heads, warm beds, food to eat and family and friends. Some are not so lucky, and it is our job as brothers and sisters of all the children of God, to serve and bless when we can. No matter who they are.

And what better time to teach that than the season of holidays from all different beliefs. And for those of us who are Christian, if we reflect on the story of Christ's birth; Angels appeared to lowly shepherds, and Kings came to worship Him. Him who was King, but born in a stall. From the wealthiest to the poorest, all were given the glad news.

What better was to celebrate than to help those in need, however we each can?