Merry Christmas!!

Totally Pathetic!

I'm thinking it was not such a great idea to plan on traveling across the country for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I can't seem to get a grip on things.  I even cried to my kids tonight....totally pathetic! 

Yes, he is sooo cute.....

But still a handful!

I wish I could keep the house decorated for Christmas all year long!

The Christmas decor of the house is giving me such a warm, happy feeling.

I wish this house gave me that warm happy feeling all year around. 

Maybe after Christmas I should get a palm tree and put it in the middle of my living room.

Here are a few shots of my warm, happy!

Christmas Traditions

So far this year we have completed two of the Christmas traditions that we have here in the Carolinas.  

First, Santa headed through our neighborhood last night.  I LOVE THIS!  

The girls were in their room and Jonah was scootering through the house when I heard sirens.  

I yelled, "GIRLS, SANTA IS COMING"!  

They came flying out of their room and we ran out the front door just in time to have several fire trucks pass us.....lights and holiday music blaring.....and there he was.  

Little Man had a smile from ear to ear.  

Santa tossed out candy while yelling his usual, "HO, HO, HO, Merry Christmas!"  

I wish I would have grabbed the camera to record the look on Little Man's face.

It was priceless!

  Unfortunately,  Ben was out of town. 

 

Tonight we attended another event that has become a tradition.  A local Methodist church in town puts on an AMAZING drive through Christmas story.  It started tonight and it goes through the weekend.  

Thousands  of people go through each year.  

SO AWESOME....it still puts tears in my eyes.  

You travel through the town of Bethlehem as the people are hearing the news of the birth of their Savior.  Your windows are rolled down so you can hear all of their reactions and interactions with each other.  There are hundreds of people involved, live animals, (sheep, cows, and camels) and it ends at the manger.  Big Sis attempted to take some pictures out of the window of the truck.  They are not the best photos, but you can get the idea.  It really is an amazing production.

Yes, I'm weird!

Yesterday I was talking to a fellow mom while our daughters were in gymnastics class.  She asked me if my kids (like hers) are begging for every toy under the sun for Christmas.  I told her that we got rid of our television programming in the beginning of October and I have been thrilled that my kids have not been asking for every trendy toy on the market.  The removal of commercials in their life has been AWESOME! 

She stopped.....then said.......You don't have a cell phone or a TV......What, are you Amish?

I cracked up.

Okay, so I'm weird.  I like being that way.  I like not doing what everyone else is doing. 

So, I am here to report that the dropping of TV service has been a great decision.  When my kids need to chill they turn on Netflix on the computer or in my bedroom.  (We have Netflix streaming though the Wii my bedroom.)  I watch the prime time shows I love on the computer and I don't miss watching all the other junk I wasted so much time on.  I don't miss commercials.  My kids are cool with everything too. 

How is hubby doing with it all.......he did go through a period of mourning at first.  He missed HGTV and watching football games on Sat. and Sun.  But several weeks back he told me that he was very thankful that I took the leap and shut off Dish Network.  He said he plays with the kids so much more on the weekends than he used to.  He said.....get this......that if I told him that I wanted to hook up the TV again, he would discourage it!  So....hubby is doing great with it, too! 

As far as the cell phone....I've been cell phone free for over 4 years.  (With exception to a "pay as you go phone"that I take with me when I travel by myself.)  I don't know if I will get one again.  I think about it here or there.....I have priced plans.....and then I walk away b/c I just can't get myself to do it.  I have went this long without a monthly cell phone bill....why start now. 

1.  I find it freeing. 
2.  It discourages me to watch every person on the road talking on the phone. 
3.  My parents did a fine job of raising me without one.....I don't see the NEED. 
4.  If I do get one in the future I think I will feel like I am giving in.  I know....stupid.....but honest!

I do not want to be Amish.  I would not live without my dishwasher, GPS, or hairdryer.  I just don't want to be like everyone else just because.  I bet I'll drive my kids nuts when they hit their preteen/teen years.