(Click on the image to enlarge- it's so worth it!)

I found this old letter in the bottom of one of my Christmas boxes. Tyler and I died laughing!! Unfortunately I don't know how old or what year I wrote this... but knew I had to share it!

~~~~~Merry Christmas~~~~~

WHAT...it can't be so...-ME- the GRINCH?!!

I LOVE the 1966 version of a Grinch Stole Christmas.

"Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lived just north of whoville- did not. The Grinch hated Christmas- the whole Christmas season. Now, please don't ask why; no one quite knows the reason. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. Or it could be that his head wasn't screwed on just right. But I think that the most likely of all may have been that his heart was two sizes to small "

This past Sunday evening, I realized I felt very down and out, about this holiday season. It was the emotional feeling, that something deep within, wasn't right. (I hope I'm not the only person that has these feelings.) I went over and over in my mind digesting what was replaying on my heart. And suddenly I heard a voice...

"it came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!"

I know how silly that must sound- I'm a Christian- we're suppose to know what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. That IS "quote on quote" our religion right?! Well after some more humbling thought and prayer I realized I had been basing Christmas on all the good deeds I had done throughout the year and how much, I thought deserved to be recognized with; ribbons and bows, boxes and bags.

"He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't thought of before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps... it means a little bit more!

and what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day. And then,- the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of *ten* Grinches, plus two!"

On that night God had come banging on my hearts door, with the gift of knowledge. The knowledge of knowing my selfishness. Everything I was doing and thinking about, was for ME-ME-ME. it was a what will I get out of this- mentality.

WOW- what an eye opener...

After a few tears and some kind words from my husband- I realized that the one we serve our almighty Lord, knows our hearts and all that we need. What MORE do we really need?

I am so blessed to experience moments like this- where I'm reminded what really matters at Christmas time. I pray that you all have a moment this holiday season to give thanks to our almighty Lord for all that he has given you- including the knowledge of understanding.

"Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all Whos far and near. Christmas Day is in our grasp so long as we have hands to clasp. Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we. Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart and hand to hand."

Well it's officially Christmas! YAHOO!!

I love this time of year! Everything about this season makes me smile! I LOVE LOVE LOVE all the Christmas parties, decorations, lights, beautiful Christmas trees, Christmas specials on TV (Yes, I'm talking about Frosty and Rudolph the red nose reindeer) but most of all...
I LOVE Christmas cards!
Seriously, I act like a child when we receive one (hooting, hollering and jumping up and down would be describing it lightly) One might compare it to winning the lottery that's how happy it makes me. Though I have never won the lottery before; only a scratch ticket for $5 but that was pretty invigorating. The ones that I especially like are the ones with the "what we did this year letter" and the ones with the adorable pictures.

Unfortunately this year I couldn't think of anything really cool to write about in one of those letters. So I came up with a really good debate, that I would "home-make" our Christmas cards if Tyler wrote our "letter". I dressed it up with how smart and well spoken he is and how people much prefer home made cards (put together with love) then store bought ones, and that how was I to expect those wonderful lengthy letters from others if we didn't contribute equally to the cause.
He totally bought it! I was so proud of myself=)

As soon as I finished our home-made cards the truth came out that my negotiation didn't work.
So here I am the 10Th of December with home made cards and no letter....so you all will have to settle with a picture of my cute pups in their Christmas outfits! (seeing as we haven't produced an offspring yet.)

As you can see, Zeus isn't thrilled to be dressed up as Rudolph but Zoey loves being Mrs. Claus.

Merry Christmas