Where are you Christmas?

Christmas has come on so fast this year, I find myself having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit. I've done my decorating, some holiday baking and my xm has been tuned to Holiday Pops since Thanksgiving, but I haven't FELT Christmas yet this year. I hope that once this week is over and I get a full 7 days next week with family that my emotions will have a chance to catch up. I gave it the ole college try this weekend for sure. Daniel and I spent from 7 am to 4 pm working at The Christmas Store. You can go here to find out more about this project (and feel free to donate if you feel so inclined :)). Daniel and I, along with many others, manned the wrapping station. Wrapping presents for 6 hours straight is exhausting! Especially while standing up, hunched over a table! I will say, it was very nice to hear the mothers' appreciation. Because we provided toys, books, and fruit to their children, they were going to be able to focus on needs like clothing. The Christmas Store provided toys, books, and fruit to over 1000 children in the Oxford area this year. I suppose that should inspire some measure of the Christmas spirit in me.

Sunday I spent the entire day baking and packaging goodies for our neighbors and a few friends. Baking is so much more fun with my Mom and sisters. Nuff said.

A few of the many dozen sugar cookies I baked and Daniel and I iced.


Goodie boxes: from top left clockwise: sugar cookies, white chocolate dipped apricots, sugar cookies, chocolate oatmeal cookies


Instant Spice Tea (Daniel did the bows...isn't he a great wrapper?)


Warning: Random rambling about to ensue.

Corinne and I were sitting around a fire Friday night and she mentioned the scripture passage, "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. " This was mentioned in regard to another topic we were discussing, but this struck a chord with me. Not sure I can say why exactly. Perhaps it's because of the endless inner dialogue I have with myself. Maybe I should try pondering in my heart rather than psychoanalyzing everything in my life. Ok, random rambling at an end :).

As I finish my shopping and begin wrapping my presents this week, and as I attend several Christmas parties, I shall endeavor to slow down and soak up the things I love about this time of year.