My kids

Each year as Christmas approaches, I get so emotional for a number of reasons. I miss my Grandma this time more than ever. I miss going to Spearman to drive her around looking at lights. I also feel so blessed to have my kids, husband, family, and health. We struggle each year at this time to make our finances work, not because we spend hundreds on our kids for Christmas presents, but quite the opposite. I try to keep our gift giving low and really try to remind them and myself that Christmas is the anticipation of waiting on Christ.

We go to our beautiful Church for Christmas Eve service and as I'm so overwhelmed with love for my kids, I am also so sad to be so far from the family I love so much. I am so grateful to get to fly to see them all after Christmas but I can't help but be sad that they can't see my kids singing in their Christmas programs or going to visit Santa. It's all through photos and videos and I am grateful for those too.

My kids are individually unique and I love them so much. Sallie Rose is kind and silly, but can turn the switch in a second. She also has to get completely undressed to go the the bathroom. I have also convinced her that she needs hearing aids for Christmas. Lulie on the other hand is thoughtful and quite the clown. She doesn't mean to be funny, but when she figures out she is, she never stops. She is rambunctious and energetic. I caught her the other day giving our baby Jesus from our nativity scene one of her pacifiers. I almost melted right there.

Thank you God for my children, for my family that I love so much it hurts that I miss them and for the emotional feelings to be embarrassed about. And thank you for sending your son to us.