The Christmas traditions have begun.

Our Christmas traditions actually start on Thanksgiving morning. It is a tradition that came from John's family and it is now mine, too. We decorate the tree on Thanksgiving morning after we eat blueberry muffins. And then we watch the Christmas parades on TV. It is kind of funny now, since the kids are so little, sometimes they get confused and think it is Christmas and not Thanksgiving. But it is a great way to begin the holiday season. Though this year, we haven't decorated much other than the tree and probably only put up about half the ornaments. We did put out all the nativity scenes though. My goal is to have one for every room one day. I have quite a few to go. Would it be weird to have a nativity in the bathroom...maybe I won't put one in the bathroom. John makes fun of my nativity window clings but you should see how the kids love putting them up and rearranging them through the holidays. We have 3 sets. And hey...this could be a witnessing tool for the neighbors.

Perhaps we began a new tradition tonight, the last day of November, we decorated pre-made Gingerbread cookies (all the supplies came in a box...cookies already baked). Then we watched Charlie Brown's Christmas Special. The one where they actually tell the REAL Christmas story!! I love it. I DVR'ed it. Man do I enjoy this cable box. I can record anything and we can watch it on our own time. I can actually get the good stuff out of the TV and use it when I want to show it and we can fast forward through the commercials...WOOHOO!! The kids enjoyed eating their gingerbread men while they watched the Christmas special.

Tomorrow, we celebrate another of our Christmas traditions...going to the St. Cloud Christmas parade. We walk to the parade and sit with some of our most special St. Cloud family...the Moyes...more affectionately known to us as Dan-Dan, Bon-Bon, Carri-friend and Zachy. This year...our beloved UCF Knights will be hosting the Conference USA football Championship at their own home field and we will not get to share the parade with our Daddy and Zachy. They will both be attending the game. Oh well, more candy for us. Unfortunately, tomorrow we will have to wear shorts and sunglasses. Some years have been frigid but this year will feel like summer. We gotta get a Santa a Florida weather suit. Swim trunks maybe with a Disney t-shirt?

Unfortunately, we forgot the the tree lighting ceremony was taking place downtown tonight. That is normally one of our traditions. We usually walk over and enjoy the festivities. I probably couldn't have walked downtown tonight and to the parade in the morning so I guess that is OK. Next year.

I am trying to find ways to focus on the holiday along with this protruding belly of mine and aching...well...everything. I was given some great advice this last week at a MOPS meeting by a sweet pastor's wife... "Don't bite off more than you can chew." So that is my goal. To enjoy the holidays with out choking on them. The kids don't care if we baked the cookies ourselves, they just wanted to spread icing all over themselves...I mean... their cookies and eat them. Even Layton said tonight that she didn't want anything for Christmas except for her family to be together. Awwww...granted 5 minutes later, she did add that she would like her own set of make-up for Christmas.

And what a more exciting way to celebrate Christmas than receiving our own very blessed baby Nathaniel into our family sometime this month. It has made me think about Mary and what she must of been thinking that first Christmas. Layton must have been thinking too because she came to me this past week and asked how God chose Mary. A very deep question I thought for a six year old. So we read in the Bible that Mary found favor with God and how she respectfully received this amazing task that was being given to her. Boy, it made me think about how more like Mary I should be...I am glad however that I don't have to ride on a donkey. Whew!! Although I guess that is one way to induce labor...hmmm...nah...don't think I will try it. :)