Christmas Day

Christmas has always been a wonderful and challenging time of year. For weeks prior there are so many activities going on that require shopping for nice clothes, making special foods, getting everyone dressed up and trying to actually make it to the event on time, which is rarely a success! This year was an even bigger challenge because, with the economy failing and everyone having to cut back we no longer have much help buying gifts at Christmas, as we have had in the past. However I feel that this turned out to be a huge blessing this year! We were able to go online early and buy things that the kids specifically asked for and a new store opened nearby called "Five Below", where I was able to find some great gifts for $5 and under. My friend Connie gave me a $200.00 gift card for this place and it went a long way in enabling me to purchased arts and crafts and educational toys for the kids. They absolutely love anything to do with art and creativity so it was a real blessing to find these things at such reasonable prices! When the big day came they were all so thrilled with their gifts, as you can see from these photos!

We had an awesome day, my grown kids were here (all but Shawn) and I got to spend time with my three month old grandson, Liam. I made the traditional Christmas dinner; green bean casserole, sweet potato soufflé, sausage stuffing, cranberry sauce, two turkeys and one ham! Everyone helped serve and after about 45 minutes, when we were finally settled, we were able to enjoy the fruits of our labor. The kids enjoyed the meal, but what they were really waiting for came next! We passed out the presents and they each anxiously awaited their turn to open theirs. Some of them wanted portable DVD players and Nintendo DS which I was able to find online, new and used, for decent prices. Our friend Lisa sent everyone individually wrapped picture frames to paint and a bunch of art supplies, which they loved! After everything was opened and we were swimming in a sea of wrapping paper, I was finally able to relax and catch up with my visiting kids. That is until it was time to clean up!

I'd like to send out a special 'Thank you' to Eagles Landing Baptist Church for the food you donated a few days before Christmas. It really helped on the days I spent last-minute shopping to already have dinner prepared at home! Also a big thanks to People First of Henry County and Connie Dodgen for the giftcard and continued support through the years and to Susan Crumbley for the coats and pajamas you sent! 

  

This was a great Christmas and I'm thankful that God is there to provide, no matter what. We spent a lot this year and I was anxious when I went online to look at our credit card bill, as I was sure it would pack a wallop, but the end of the month came and I was shocked to see that we will still be able to make ends meet. God is good!!