CHRISTMAS 2010

simply put, i love this time of year....i long for it at different times over the preceeding months, like when i'm sweating on the back deck trying for a tan i know will not last past the first of july, and when our family is searching through fallen leaves for a random lost item that always manages to get dropped along a walk. it's not that i don't enjoy the other seasons, as a matter of fact as i've...*clears throat* matured, i've become more tolerant of those i used to detest, and along the years i've also noticed that since our youngest has come along, days seem to pass so quickly "wasn't it just august, last week?!" this all being noted to say, through the months, weeks, days of life and all i still long for Christmas...the awe of what it means to me, to us, to our family (the family of God). we enjoy making trips out in the cold to see the lights and decor, i buy tarts that smell of baked goods for days when we aren't baking anything (lol), our home is decorated and has such a warm, cozy hug feeling, most everyone (outside of the rude ppl found in shopping aisles) is a little more patient and smiley. all these things just add to my enjoyment of this season. combine this with the idea that if this is so great, so beautiful, so wonderfully loved filled time of year....how much more so will heaven be....i just blew my own mind (LOL). as beautiful as the most beautiful smile, sunset, location, material thing is...heaven will be so glorious that we won't miss those things!!!! i'm thankful for His mercy and grace, thankful for all His love encompasses.