The most magical time of the year has arrived. We dusted off the Christmas boxes, carefully unpackaged the delicate ornaments and searched for the perfect tree. Two trees to be exact.
The children's excitement is a constant reminder that the spirit of Christmas is what we choose to make it. We make it about love and sharing. We make it about caring for others and reaching out that helping hand. We make it about family and spending time with one another. Grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles. It is so easy to get lost in the sea of materialism that surrounds the holidays. Every day I strive and pray that we may stay on course.
To help us stay on course we focus our energey on those in need. Every year we take a couple stockings from Jon's church that are to be filled with children who have fallen into the system. Children who most likely will not receive gifts. We make sure to stuff as much into those stockings (bags, actually) as possible. And from my church we take two tags from the giving tree. Each tag lists a person and something(s) they need. It's not much, but it's something we are able to do each year.
What makes your holiday season special?
What do you do to reach out and help others?
How do you keep the spirit of Christmas alive?
We've got another busy weekend on our hands, but I'm looking forward to hanging out with my little ones and getting my hands glittery with crafts. We have our advent calendar to make, a bit late, but it will be up by Sunday. We have a Christmas movie night with friends, a brunch with Santa, a baby shower, soccer games, caroling with cub scouts and, hopefully, a relaxing family dinner on Sunday.
Happy Weekend friends! Hope it's relaxing.
Sorry I wasn't around much this week. It was a bit crazy and I fell behind. I've got lots lined up for next week. The boys room tour, my first post on Babiekins Magazine blog and an awesome GIVEAWAY on Monday ;)