Soak in the Season

Today was just one of those layed back lazy days. I just didn't have it in me to do more laundry, dishes and toys. So I didn't! After I got Tanner down for a nap and Ashlyn in her room for quiet time, I turned on the Christmas music, got out my mom's Christmas stories from this year and settled into the couch. It was so peaceful and uplifting. I laughed out loud at some of the stories, cried and most of them and just enjoyed reading about what Christmas means to so many people. My mom and aunt spend endless hours all year long collecting stories for their famous Christmas books, and then they type them all out and bind them in a book. I look forward to reading them every year. I think sometimes its easy to forget what Christmas is all about because this time of year gets so crazy. We get so caught up in the shopping and the parties and everything inbetween that its hard to just slow down and soak in the season. I'm determined to not let that happen this year.
I kept with the theme of the day after the kids woke up. We popped a bag of popcorn (and got some cheerios for Tanner) and headed downstairs to watch old family Christmas videos. Ashlyn loved laughing at me as a little girl, and I loved reminiscing about Christmas as a child.
I hope we all remember what Christmas is all about this year. And that we pause to think of our Savior, His birth, and His life. That we think about others and how we can serve them and make their lives a little brighter. Brad and I were talking the other night about gifts and he was saying he hopes I like what he got me and that he hopes our siblings are happy with what we got them etc. And I said I would love anything he got me because he put so much time and effort into thinking of what to get and going out to buy it. I wish gift giving could be more fun. It seems to always be such a stress worrying if the person is going to like what you give them. It really is the thought that counts... right?
Well, I accomplished nothing around my house today, but I felt the spirit of the season and enjoyed my kids and my memories! Merry Christmas!