Getting this ornament out of the box took me on a trip down memory lane…

As wonderful as that Christmas was – and at the time, it was 100% the best Christmas ever, in spite of squeezing in gift opening & Christmas dinner in between nap schedules and nursing and all that comes along with two babies – last Christmas was even better. And I just know that this Christmas is going to be even better. Christmas with our children is just so much better than the ones before–even though it starts about two hours earlier, I can’t sit at the table long enough to eat as much turkey dinner as I’d want, and I spend a good portion of it cleaning up behinds, chasing, & disciplining.
Their excitement for Christmas is contagious. Everything is so exciting – “CRIMMAS TREES!” “CRIMMAS LIGHTS!!” “CHRIMMAS TRAIN!!!” I can’t help it – it makes me so happy. I’m so much less stressed {okay, maybe this is partially because 2 mornings a week of preschool has helped me immensely in gift shopping, card sending, & holiday party hosting… I’ll admit it!} because who can worry when STOCKINGS! PRESENTS! BABY JESUS! O-NAMENTS! are so incredible?!
And then… the most important part. Obviously we get to teach our children about the Lord daily–but the other day, as I sat with the boys putting a set of “nativity” window clings up and telling them the whole story of how Jesus came to earth as a baby to save us… it hit me. What a privilege. I get to teach my kids the real meaning of Christmas – I get to tell them about Jesus. My own children… two of my biggest blessings… what a blessing to get to tell them about my Savior. Thank you, Jesus. {I may or may not have teared up–yes, that’s probably quite sappy, and no, I don’t care. Hi, my name is Lauren, and I’m an emotional mama now.}
So even though this season is busy & crazy – I know I’ve got to take time to remember & be grateful for why we celebrate it. Whenever I forget, these two little boys remind me – Christ came to save me, and he’s blessed me far beyond my wildest imagination. Thank you, Jesus…