Two weeks until Christmas!!!!

I love this time of year! The lights, the music, the snow, the smells, the food, the spirit, everything. Oh, and of course, the presents! I truly love to give presents as much as receive them, I only wish I could afford to give more. I would love to be able to spend $100 each (or more!) on Jana, Andy and Miranda, my parents, Dustin's parents, and all the grandparents. Unfortunately, at this point in my life, I am not able to do that, hopefully when I'm older, maybe I'll win the lottery or something. Right now, the majority of my Christmas fund gets spent on the boys, and I still always want to get them more. I think I'm pretty much done shopping, except a few last minute gifts I'm sure I'll need.



I'm so excited. Our tree has already been up for over 3 weeks! I just can't wait to start preparing for the season once Thanksgiving hits! Nathan has been making so many cute projects at school, my favorites are a gingerbread man with a little sign that says, "Jesus warms my heart", and a picture of the nativity that says "Happy birthday Jesus!" Too cute!!! Especially this time of year, I'm glad he goes to a Christian preschool where they can help reinforce the true meaning of Christmas. Sometime this week, I'm going to take him shopping to buy something to give to Toys for Tots or some food to give to a local food drive. About a year ago, I made him these banks, one for saving, one for spending and one for donating. We divide the money between the banks, and he's saved the donate jar for a long time, and now he's ready to put it towards a cause. I wish there were a soup kitchen or something like that around here where we could donate our time. It's always something I've wanted to do, and I'd love to have my sons do things like this in the future.



Speaking of Nathan, he said something so precious last week. My grandpa died earlier this year and he likes to talk about Grandpa Marvin a lot. Well, he asked me if Grandpa Marvin was going to sing happy birthday to Jesus in heaven. Choking back tears (both at the memory of my grandfather and that my son could say something so meaningful and not even realize it) I told him that he would. Then he told me he thought Grandpa Marvin could help make Jesus a birthday cake. How cute is that??? Speaking of my grandpa, I know this Christmas is going to be very hard on everybody, especially my dad and his brother and sisters. We all miss him very much, but I am just remembering what Nathan said, and he's going to be having a wonderful Christmas up there with the true reason for Christmas, Jesus, our Savior.



I'm sure I'll blog again before Christmas, but until then, enjoy the spirit of the season! And if you have kids and really, even if you don't, keep the magic in your heart!