We’ve been doing it for years…..it’s our tradition. Every Christmas eve….we watch Jim Carrey’s version of How The Grinch Stole Christmas! We can’t help it. We love it that much! And we still laugh and cackle as if it were the first time. It’s one of our all-time favorites!

So, guess what we’re doing? Yep, watching the movie! 🙂

We also like to open up one present on Christmas eve. This year we’ve done things a little different in that area. The kids have gotten a few gifts along the way the last few weeks (things that they’ve really needed). The girls both opened up a dress for tonight’s Christmas eve service….so I guess that counts as a gift tonight. Right? Plus, they bought Christmas pj’s today and are wearing them as a gift to themselves.

They look so cute! Can you see how excited they are? Gavin isn’t wearing jammies….he’s in his Indiana shorts and a tee shirt. But he’s got big muscles, huh? He’s one arming two sisters like it’s nothing!

         It’s almost time for bed……we’ll be waking up to Monkey Bread for breakfast after all the present hoopla.  It’s such an exciting time!  Even when your kids are teenagers!

                HO HO HO!!!  MERRY CHRISTMAS, YA’LL!

I love having my family together.  Especially on Sunday.  We can attend worship as a family and that just makes it extra special.  I realize that the time is fast approaching when my kids will be gone.  I’ll miss having them around.  But I know the season’s of life must come.  Until then….I’ll cherish all the time we have together.

Ephesians 5:15-17
Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

You know the story. You’ve read the book (most likely). You may have even watched one of the many movies made about the book. But now, A Christmas Carol is out by Disney and it’s awesome! Very well made but oh so scary! I wouldn’t take my little kids to see it. The message is still a good one.

Be nice. Love people. Share. Put other’s before yourself. Think positively. Have compassion. Give when you can. Live life to the fullest.

I try to live like that everyday. Sure, I fall short at times. But really….I want to bless other’s with my life. This story is always a good reminder to be genuine and to love people with your whole heart. What kind of legacy will you leave behind? Will it be like Scrooge or his partner? Or will it be of someone who blessed others?

Last week, I was privileged to watch with my very own eyes as a friend and her faith grew! She had been hurting financially and the stress was just about to overtake her. She was down to eating eggs and on her last tank of gas (she commutes to school about an hour).

Back on my birthday (Oct)…I won a $10 giftcard to Kroger. Somehow the blogger transposed the numbers on my zipcode and it never came. I contacted her just to make sure that I hadn’t received it and tossed it out. She apologized and said she was resending it and that she was adding another $5 to it. I thought, “Wow, cool!”. It came and I set to the side forgetting it everytime I went to the store. Then my friend tells me…..about the eggs. I knew immediately that I could help and I did. Long story short…..I shared with 2 other friends (confidentially) and both were able to do even more for my very needy friend.

IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE!
Try it…..you’ll see!