Christmas Excitement

Well, things are at a fever pitch here about Christmas! We have had a wonderful week as Christmas approaches. The girls really are old enough this year to understand the story of baby Jesus' birth and the true meaning of the miracle of Christmas. In fact, today they created their own manger scene - and yes, Baby Jesus is laying on a bed of straw made out of a cheerleading pom pom!

This past week was my senior citizen's program at church. I wasn't able to be there because it was the same time as Mary Clare's concert at school. This year we were more ambitious than in the previous 8 years. The men's club from Church offered to donate turkey breasts for each of the 50 seniors in the program - and I had the bright idea that we could collect a donation of 2 bags of groceries for each senior. Oh, and also a gift. Well, per usual I was a nervous wreck in the week leading up to the program - hoping and praying we would get enough donations. And, per usual -- we had more than enough and extra volunteers showed up. Because of the extra help, we were able to set the tables with the church china, real tableclothes, glassware and silverware - no plastic this time! And two girlfriends watched the girls for me at different times so I could get things organized. Well, the room looked great and when the girls and I arrived as it was finishing and everyone was just beaming about how much all the seniors had appreciated it. It was such a wonderful way to head into Christmas. The girls seemed to be excited about everyone's reaction, too.

Today we took them to Target to buy toys and clothes for a program that operates a "store" for low-income citizens to shop for items. They both really had fun picking things off of the shelves and selecting things for the other children. I was so proud of them! Mary Clare even said to me, "Mommy, if the parents don't have money to buy presents for their children, don't we need to buy presents for the mommies and daddies, too?" So, she picked out some sweaters, hats and gloves for the adults as well. I was so proud of her. Of course, after we dropped everything off and were heading home, she piped up from the back seat, "Do you think Santa has an 'Extra Good List'?"