We Need a Little Christmas

So after all the excitement from the last two weeks, December has finally arrived and things are settling in.  Obviously, my bug paranoia is far from over.  But Doug and I have a new bed and we are sleeping in our own room again.  We have started moving clothes out of the living room and dining room but still aren't putting them back in dressers just yet.  And the girls will stay in the guest room until the exterminator comes back.  But one of the things I have been reminded of and am most grateful for is that it is just bugs.  There are so many things in life that are much worse.  I know God will never put me in a situation harder than I can handle and I can do all things through Him!

My chidren have enjoyed me singing "We need a little Christmas" as I put the house back together.  It seems very appropriate for the season quickly approaching and the stress we are trying to leave behind. This weekend was a great kickoff to the start of December and bringing in the much needed Christmas.  Our first Christmas adventure was the annual Bluffton Christmas Parade.  We sat with our neighbors and watched their son march in the ROTC.  They spoiled the children with all sorts of junk food.  And we had our first Santa sighting for the year.

Here are the kids watching for the start of the parade.

For the third year in a row (pretty sure that makes it a tradition), we went to the Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah to see Santa with Mrs. Kathy.  Santa is great each year and Mrs. Kathy always makes it memorable.  This year he actually took each child individually up in his lap to go over their lists they had made and brought with them.  Then after each had a turn, he talked to all four and took a group picture.  The girls noticed that he looked the same as the last year (after seeing a different one in the parade).  I am pretty sure they are convinced he is the real deal and I don't blame them.  I would too!

After reading their lists to Santa, he had a mailbox they dropped them in so the elves in the North Pole could get them.

We once again made an event of the Santa visit by eating at the mall and riding every ride there.  I did make sure to stay off the spinning cup on the carousel this time.  Kres remembered the one in Disney being his favorite ride and was excited to get to ride one again.  Wes preferred the smaller rides and enjoyed dropping the money in.

One thing I try to emphasize at Christmas is how it is about giving and not just receiving.  After all it is when God gave us His Son!  Mrs. Kathy made sure to reinforce this by giving the kids each a dollar to put in the Salvation Army bucket.  I love seeing the joy the kids get from it and everyone watching gets from watching them.  Hopefully, it is a small witness to those watching.

Hoping to make many more joyful memories this holiday season!