November 16th….. Really?  Already?  I have to say that even though I have not done one thing to prepare for the holidays – I am READY!  I love everything about the next 6 weeks (oh, geez it’s more like 5, right?).  I even love all the worries about money and time.  I love the excitement in my kids eyes; I love the lights; I love the smell of my tree; I absolutely ADORE adding my kids’ handprints to the Christmas tree skirt (we started in 1999 when my oldest was 6 months old).  I get so excited when my kids open their matching Christmas pjs on Christmas Eve.  I love, love, love the holidays.  I am blessed and this time of year is such a beautiful reminder.  I can’t believe I’ll be adding my sweet baby girl’s handprint for the 13th time this year.  Okay, I just got that choked up feeling I get when I am going all soft.

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.  ~Norman Vincent Peale