I’ve been cruising organizing websites trying to get ideas on how to streamline this very busy time. I probably won’t do anything suggested but I do love the idea of being organized. *smile* I’ve already started by finding my treasured cookie recipes. I’ll be making Butter Drop-ins (Michael’s favorite), Oatmeal-Coconut Crisps, Almond Butter Cookies, and the Hazelnut Thumbprints from last year’s Martha Stewart’s Holiday Cookies magazine. (I can’t find that recipe online.) This year I have decided to buy a pretty binder and put all the loose recipes in there so I won’t have to go hunting again next year…at least that is my intent this morning.

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One big help is that we take the month of December off from formal schooling. The boys and I are going to be stuffing stockings for the Salvation Army, doing kitchen duty at our church’s annual chicken dinner, and (hopefully) visiting the White House to see it all decorated for the holidays. Hopefully, by now, my boys have realized that Christmas isn’t just about receiving but about giving…back to family, friends and the community. We also emphasize what we are celebrating…the birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I found a really beautiful blog, O Night Divine, that is dedicated to celebrating CHRISTmas.

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I’ve also been busy getting started on Quinn’s Christmas and Winter lapbooks. I’ve bought the paper and pretty scrapbooking doodads, so as soon as I get ideas I’ll be ready to put them together. *smile*

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I’m hoping that Michael and the boys will start to bring up the Christmas decorations this weekend for me to get started with my holiday decorating. I also have to change the top graphic on this website to reflect the holiday season though I’ll probably neglect my own websites again. I also have to work on getting our Boy Scout Troop’s website changed over…I made the graphics for it a couple of months ago but couldn’t connect to the site’s server. John, the boys’ Scoutmaster, finally figured it out for me but with Michael in school 4 nights a week, this past month, I just didn’t have the time or energy to work on it.

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Cade and Connor will finally be getting their braces on the 18th of December. They’ve been getting baby teeth pulled this month in preparation. No more retainers for Cade to lose in restaurant garbage cans, have a go through the washing machine or get cooked in the microwave!

The twins also have their annual check-up with Dr. Mike which includes bloodwork and an ultrasound of their kidneys.

…so as you can see, December will be a very busy month!

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JESUS IS THE REASON
by MARILYN SHACKELFORD

When I was young
And too little to know
I thought “Merry Christmas”
Meant presents and snow
Just a big tree with tinsel and lights all aglow!

I didn’t understand nor
Do I think that I cared
The “true” message of Christmas
Was the Love that God shared!

I’d heard about the King who was born in a manger
But what’s the fuss about some baby who to me was a stranger?
It wasn’t until I had children of my own
That my “heart-strings” were tugged and the void became known

I learned the most important thing about life is to love
And that Jesus, my Savior, was sent from above
His life an example of true love and devotion
The lights, sounds and hustle … nothing more than commotion

His life pure and precious freely given for me
Was so hard to believe yet so simple to see
Oh, I still sing and buy gifts to thank those I love
But I’ll never forget God’s great gift from above

So make no mistake
of this “Truth” I partake
His birth is the reason
to bring Joy to this season!