I think I'm going to try writing short blogs daily as I'm not doing a very good job of keeping this blog current at this point.  Hey, life is busy!  A lot of things on my to-do list get left on there for quite some time (Bobby....you still need to get that trim painted!)

So here's some of the things that I'm extremely thankful for.  A long Thanksgiving weekend with all of the kids.  We crammed in a lot: Breaking Dawn part 2 (movie), pinterest craft day, Thanksgiving dinner at mom's, cozy time, snacks-soups-desserts at our house, lighted holiday parade, seeing friends, Christmas tree shopping and decorating the the tree while having a snack attack day (nothing but junk food today...which I'll pay for starting tomorrow with boot camp class).

I have always been one of those people who enjoys tradition. We have several activities that we enjoy with our kids that would fall under tradition since the kids say that we "have" to do something a certain way.  We cannot tag a Christmas tree until the place is open so we can have hot chocolate.  We also have to walk around the tree farm looking for a tree even though we know we'll most likely pick one that has already been cut and is easily found by the shed/store.   We have several artificial Christmas trees, but everyone's favorite is the REAL one that we get.  I see all these pictures of beautiful, theme trees and think it would be nice to have one but as we are pulling out all of the different Christmas ornaments from years' past makes my mismatched tree more beautiful.  I'll never throw away a "blue blob" like some people.  I treasure each item the kids have made, their pictures and even the special ornaments that we have purchased because there is a story or tradition behind each one.   

Christmas PJ's on Christmas Eve, making the kids wait until I'm ready for them to come see the tree on Christmas morning (which is actually the day after Christmas....blended family = adjustment), stockings, opening one gift at a time, dinner with the "good" dishes, cookie baking day, Santa Mouse, reading Christmas books, Aunt Opal's tea ring, enjoying time with our extended families playing games and sharing memories.  I love all of it.  But yet there's still something missing....  life moves too fast for my taste.  The kids are growing up and I know my time is limited on the magic that permeates the season.   I miss the guitar playing while the Christmas lights are on and the TV is off.  I miss that our family holiday this year will be changed even more so than it has since dad died.  Dad would completely understand this quote..

Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home.  ~Carol Nelson

So, my goal this Christmas season and throughout the year, is to enjoy each fleeting moment and push the sadness out of my mind.  I'm so thankful for all I've been given in this life.  It would be a waste to worry about the if's and "I wish"-es.