Christmas Eve

Well, it's almost 1am and I'm laying here pretty much wide awake. 

Christmas snuck up on me once again this year, but I think we did better than last year. And next year I will aim to do better than this year.

Christmas growing up was always so amazing.  My mom worked her butt off to make sure we had a great Christmas every year. Even on the years when she told us that it wasn't going to be very good, it was always great. 

I remember last year being so sad when Christmas was over. I felt like we didn't do enough for Lexi, or anyone else. But this year I feel pretty good. I'm sure that will change by tomorrow night though.  Kristin (baby sister) and I were talking about it tonight. How we felt so bad because our gifts were always piled up under the tree as kids, but they seem so bare tonight. Our kids are young enough that they aren't going to remember much. And they definitely have lots of aunts and uncles who will be giving them gifts also. There was an article going around this week, written by a mom explaining why she buys a lot at Christmas, and I thought it summed up my feelings pretty well. Basically I don't buy my kids everything they want. They get special things on occasion, and they most certainly don't do without. But I have to say no a lot. I don't have the money to buy Lexi an ipad. I would love to have a huge swinger in my backyard, but it just can't happen right now. So, on the rare occasion that I get to go all out, then that's what I do.

I know it's more about the memories than anything. But I also know that Lexi is getting to an age where her friends are going to start talking and comparing gifts. And I never want her to feel left out!

Today we enjoyed the rare treat of being off work on a week day. We did a little last minute shopping, ate lunch, and took naps. Then we made cookies for Santa. I don't bake, lol. So I bought the pre-packaged dough. Lexi got to lay it out on the cookie sheets and then put sprinkles and m&m's on them. Tonight after bath time, Jacob told them about the night Jesus was born. Lexi wrote a note for Santa and put out his cookies and milk.

Tomorrow we will wake up and see what Santa brought! We always have lunch at my Grandma's on Christmas Day. There will be a few gifts there, but nothing major. My grandparents put money on a savings account for the kids on their birthdays and Christmas. Before we go we will have a discussion about thankfulness. Lexi is at an age where her personality and tastes are developing... and let's just say that she doesn't always have a lot of tact. She has always been good about saying please and thank you, but lately she makes it really obvious when she doesn't like something. I don't want to feel like I'm constantly nagging her, but we are trying to teach her about respect.

Tomorrow evening we will go spend time with Jacob's parents. Then Friday evening dinner with sisters and cousins. Saturday afternoon Christmas with my brother and his family. Saturday night Christmas with my parents and sisters. Whew! That's a lot!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!