We had a wonderful Christmas this year.† We served with our church, we had Christmas get-togethers with our dearest friends, we spent time with family.† We laughed and sang and ate too much.

Christmas Eve day we attended church.† They decided to have it on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day.† It was entitled ìBelieveî and it was awesome.† Our preacher tied it in with ìPolar Expressî.† We watched clips of the movie; the little boy who wasnít quite sure he believed any longer.† It was a wonderful message.† The scene where Tom Hanks character says, †ìDoes anyone want some refreshments?î played on the screen and then our preacher repeated it.† They brought carts filled with hot chocolate down the aisles to everyone.† It was a beautiful, heartwarming message.† About the true reason we celebrate Christmas.

Then Keilee and I braved Wal-Mart.† We went with a great attitude.† We KNEW it would be crazy and packed and we decided to just revel in it.† It actually wasnít that bad.† They had EVERY check out opened so no waiting.† Why canít they do that every day???

Christmas Eve night we went to my brotherís house.† He had a roaring fire and we had some snacks.† We watched ìA Christmas Carolî with Patrick Stewart.† It is my favorite version.

We went to bed pretty soon after we got home so Santa could come. Neither Keilee nor I could sleep we were both so excited.† She woke me up at 6:06 and was raring to go.† Mommy and Santa went a little crazy this year after we had promised we wouldnít.† It so easy with just one to buy too much.† I donít buy Keilee that much during the year so I like to get her things at Christmas.† She is so easy to buy for because I know everything she would love!† And love everything she did!

 

She also got earrings, a Claire’s gift card, a iTunes gift card, bubble bath, socks, an orange, Hello Kitty PJ’s, suckers, 2 awesome necklaces, feather earrings, a bracelet, banagrams and more in her ginormous stocking!

Keilee got me too much!† She saved the money she made Sept – Dec at Skate Day selling her Knit Wits.† She was so excited about what she got me and wanted to give it to me about 100 times.† She picked everything out herself and it was all things I loved.† Here is some of it.† She also got me a long [to my shins] black button up sweater that I loved and a yin/yang necklace that we both wear one half of.† I have wanted “The Pioneer Woman” cookbook all year.† I love it but we would have to plow the back 40 to eat like she cooks everyday!

Here is Keilee with her ‘Goodies’.† She kept saying it was the best Christmas ever.† She says that every year. 🙂

After opening gifts we went to Eddie and Heatherís for Christmas breakfast.† This is a tradition that we have always done with my Mom.† The kids used to wear their pajamas but only Kei wore hers this year.

We got so many things that we loved and we loved giving gifts to all of our family.† Eddie got me a Dutch Oven that is RED!† I love it and plan on using it tonight for the first time.† Daddy got me a sculpture that is very Art Deco.† It is so cool and so ME!

After Eddie’s we came home and then went to Daddy and Marlene’s for Christmas dinner.† I missed my Mother very much.† I think I will always miss her.

Keilee got a gift certificate to Hobby Lobby and we went there Wednesday.† She racked up on yarn and needles.† She is working on a blanket.† I so envy her patience.† I could never make something that would take that long!

I loved everything I got for Christmas but my favorite thing was from my awesome boss.† He got us an iPad!† We LOVE IT.† I could never had afforded to buy one for us.† I thought I wanted one but wasn’t sure.† Kei and I both have iPhones and I wasnít sure how different it would be.† MUCH DIFFERENT I can tell you.† We both fight to use it.† We have looked up things, watched videos, played educational games and so much more.† Keilee is writing a report right now on it about Public Schools.† [her choosing of the topic]

We were blessed this year.† I told Keilee time and time again how lucky we were.† We have neighbors that care about us, amazing friends and wonderful family.† †We have a roof over our heads, food in the house, a crazy dog that we love, a church that is beyond belief and each other.

What more could anyone want?

Homeschooling Rocks!

Karen

 

“Gratitude, like faith, is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it grows, and the more power you have to use it on your behalf. If you do not practice gratefulness, its benefaction will go unnoticed, and your capacity to draw on its gifts will be diminished. To be grateful is to find blessings in everything, This is the most powerful attitude to adopt, for there are blessings in everything.”† ~Alan Cohen