Alicia Daniel

I finally have a minute to write a blog.  The kids are absolutely over the moon.  They haven’t slowed down long enough to hardly sleep since they opened all of their presents and Santa came.  I think this has been the best Christmas they have ever had.

There was absolutely nothing they asked for that they didn’t get.  In fact, they got more……….much more than they asked for.  Nothing does a mothers heart better than to see their children happy on Christmas.  I am truly blessed to have my children and the people around me that have filled my life with so much love and joy.  I only hope you have the same.  God bless you each and all.  Now on to a new year!!!!

The children and I always go to my mothers on Christmas eve for dinner and to open presents there.  It’s the day my children have looked forward to since Thanksgiving.  Santa comes tonight and they are all excited to see what is in their presents and what Santa has brought.

This year, Charlie, their adopted grandpa will join us at my mothers.  He has been a blessing to us.  He tells me that we have been more of a blessing to him than he could ever be to us because through us, we have given him Christmas back.  That’s a wonderful thing for him to say.  He is spoiling the kids something awful but that’s part of what Christmas is for, spoiling the children.

It’s also a day to reflect on what the season is really for.  We always have a birthday cake for Christmas day so we can celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  I want them to always know that Christmas is not just about toys and stuff.  It’s about salvation.  Salvation of our soul and salvation of our lives that we live today.  Does that make any sense to you?  I hope so.  Because that’s my Christmas wish for each of you that has visited my blog, the joy and wonder of the birth of Jesus Christ and a joy filled Christmas.

I get them every year, those darn Christmas blues, but this year it seems worse than others.  I want so much for my children and I don’t just mean ‘stuff’.  I want a real home.  I want a real family life.  I want a real chance to be a better Mom than I have been.

Why is it that this time of year I go through this?  I guess it’s because we look into the eyes of these innocent children and see the wonder of life and Christmas glowing in them.  Then we go look in the mirror and see the disenchantment in our own eyes knowing that the world is not a box of cherries.  I don’t know about you but I long for that love and innocence again and want it to stay in my children’s eyes.

I know that a time will come when they don’t believe in Santa anymore or the magic of Christmas but I just don’t want them to look through the eyes of disenchantment at me ever.  I want them to always see the wonder of a world of possibilities for them.

I know so many people that keep telling me they’re finished with all of their Christmas shopping.  How can that be?  I’m not even half finished yet.  I know that Christmas is just around the corner but it’s kind of hard to go shopping when you have to work the stupid hours I do and then try and get away from the kids too.  Well it’s next to impossible.

I got the Wii for them and a couple other little things but I need a boys bicycle, a girls bicycle and a skateboard too.  Then there’s helmets for all three and knee and elbow pads to go with the skateboard.  There just aren’t enough hours in a day or dollars in my purse either!!  I’ll just be glad when it’s all over.

Bah-Humbug, HUH?  I’m sorry!!  I’m just stressed and really tired.  I need a long winters nap.  How about you wake me when it’s over, does that sound better?

The kids have been bugging me like crazy wanting to put our Christmas tree up.  I just haven’t had any time with all the overtime I have been working to be able to buy the kids Christmas presents this year.  I am so thankful that I still have my job because I know so many people that have lost their jobs lately it’s scary.

Anyway, I have Saturday off (an act of God made that happen) and we’re finally putting up our tree.  My mother got us a really nice artificial tree one year after Christmas so I wouldn’t have to spend money on a live on every year.  Besides, it just doesn’t feel right to me to kill a tree to honor the birth of Jesus Christ.  Do you know what I’m saying?

Now once we get the tree up, the kids are going to be asking where the presents are.  I got to start working on that too.  What to get for who for under the tree.  There’s always clothes and underwear.  They hate to get that!!!!