Taylor and I attended Brook and Jillian’s Christmas program at their church last Sunday. They did such a great job!! I was so proud of them.

It’s beginning to look – and feel – a little more like Christmas around here. FINALLY! I’ve struggled with the Christmas spirit this year. Normally, Christmas is my favorite time of year. I’ve thought and thought about why it was different this year and have finally put a finger on what it is that has been bothering me. This may not be anything new to you but it’s taken me this long to finally let it get me down…commercialism of Christmas.

We have been bombarded and pushed with the “buy, buy, buy…it’s Christmas time” marketing ploy by every selling, service, and money-making entity that’s out there since Halloween. I’m just tired. Tired of it all! To top it off, the other day while Callie and I were out shopping, McDonald’s had a huge sign on their door telling us they would be open 24 hours on Christmas Day. What?? Don’t the McDonald employees deserve a day off to celebrate the day with their family? I’m so sick of the American version of Christmas! The true meaning and reason for celebrating the season began over 2,000 years ago in a stable in Bethlehem.  “Isn’t there anyone that knows what Christmas is all about?”, exclaims Charlie Brown – one of my favorite Christmas cartoons.

I haven’t got my Christmas cards done this year. The days have just gone too fast and it’s hard gathering the kids together for a picture. We try to take a quick one the day of  “The Annual Hunt for Perfection” while searching for “the perfect tree“. Well, that didn’t happen this year. The afternoon we got home from Canada was the ONLY time we would have to get a tree. By the time we picked up our luggage, made our way to our car and got home, it was nearing 4:30 before we bundled everyone up and headed to the pasture. Jim and I had “spied” a few trees while we were cutting firewood a few weeks ago so knew right where to go. It was so bitterly cold, I opted to stay in the car with Eli while the rest searched for the trees. No picture. So, I’m going to hope we have the perfect timing just happen sometime during our Christmas gatherings. It will be a New Year’s greeting to all our family and friends rather than the normal Christmas card from the Z Crew. Oh well…

Taylor busily wrapping her gifts in front of the tree that made its way to our home this year.

We’ve been to the annual Christmas concert at the High School. This always brings a huge crowd of parents and patrons together. It’s one time we can stand around and visit with just about anyone in the community. The girls are usually upset with us by the time we say our final goodbyes to everyone. Yep, we’re usually one of the last ones out the door!

There she is! Callie is on the top row right in the middle (next to her very best friend since kindergarten).

Just look at this! I’m so thankful we still have the community support for the music and arts in our school!

Even the littlest member of the Z Crew was there to support his Auntie! 🙂

He was much more interested in grabbing Grandma’s camera than paying attention to the music.

I love receiving gifts! Especially in the mail. I have received a couple of pretty special ones and appreciate the kindness of the senders. They have taken their valuable time to gather gifts, placed them carefully in a box and taken them to the post office. All of this takes time and caring and I APPRECIATE them more than the senders will ever know! I am truly blessed!

I can’t share this one with you. It’s part of the “Christmas in the Country” Secret Santa exchange that I took part of. You’ll be able to see the awesome gifts I received when it’s revealed on January 3 – watch for it!

I feel like a little girl again when I get boxes in the mail that are addressed to me. It makes me remember the boxes I used to receive from my Grandma during the summer while they were on harvest. It’s the warm feeling that someone cared enough to let me know they were thinking of me. That’s what Christmas is all about!

And, as a final thought, I’m going to leave you with my very favorite Christmas song – this says it all!