Happy Holidays!!!

I just love the holidays!!! Everything about it makes me smile. Yummy homemade treats, Christmas lights sparkling in the night, people thinking of others, a beautiful new blanket of snow to cover the ground, sledding, excitement of the kids, etc... I seem to get a burst of energy (I would call it adrenaline) for the holidays. Last Saturday we had a babysitter come so Bryce and I could do some shopping and I was so excited that I was awake around 5:30 am with ideas running through my mind. We had such a great time together that I wished we could do it again soon! Again yesterday we baked 10 batches of gingersnaps for our neighbor gifts and had a BLAST doing it! It made the kitchen smell so delicious and it was adorable talking to Braxton, Landen and Abbey (all on seperate occasions) as they sat up to the counter to help roll the cookies in sugar. And then later to Bryce as we sat tying little ribbons on the bags of cookies. They are my little elves! (Poor Bryce, he must just want to choke me!!!)

I guess my energy spurt of excitement hasn't died down yet. I did fall in bed last night dog tired but somehow was woken up at 4 am thinking about Christmas again. I tried my best to go back to sleep, but to no success. I know I need all the energy I can muster up to keep up with the kids today. The weekends are a challenge to keep the peace and keep up with all they want to do. I have a feeling we will be playing in the snow since it just put down a little bit more and they will be begging Bryce to pull them on the sled w/ the motorcycle. Anyway- I figured I could take advantage of the opportunity and started a batch of dough for cinnamon rolls. I have always wanted to have fresh cinnamon rolls baking in the morning but haven't ever been crazy enough to be up early enough to do them! ... until now.

I feel so lucky this holiday season to be able to absorb the feelings of the holidays and to enjoy each activity that comes our way cause there have been plenty of years that it hasn't been this nice or special for me. I am grateful for the time to stop and relect on my Savior, Jesus Christ, and for all that he has done for me. I sit in awe as I read the story of his birth (especially being pregnant) and thing about all the sacrifices and hardships Mary had just being his mother. I thank heaven that when I get to have my baby I will drive in a comfortable car (for about 10 minutes) to a good hospital to be drugged up and taken care of.

Anyway- I can tell I am finally getting tired since I am starting to get mushy. Hopefully I can catch one more hour of sleep before the kids get up!