Isn't it weird that Christmas day is only a week away? We get so excited about all the gifts under the tree, but somehow we seem to forget the reason WHY we celebrate. I tell myself this every year, "I REFUSE to become one of those millions of people who completely forget Jesus' birth, and what we celebrate on Christmas day." And then I always feel guilty when I wake up on Christmas day bouncing up and down because of PRESENTS. I even write a schedule for Christmas: 9:00- wake up. 9:05- go to the bathroom...... And I give it to every family member! Now, it IS human to want to get gifts, so we can all understand the excitement of tearing the wrapping paper to shreds, to reveal a beautiful book. (That's what I get excited about. You could be different.) Now, I really don't expect us to calmly get out of bed, walk calmly to the tree, veer left, sit down on a chair, and meditate. But, before we open presents, is it so hard to sit down as a family, and read the story of Jesus' Birth? Is it so hard to pray BEFORE we come into the room squealing, and thank God for sending His Son? Because, really, that's the reason we have salvation. That's the reason, we can live life with hope for tomorrow.
 
We just put up our Christmas tree! My family is in the process of writing our Christmas letter, which mean it will take LOTS of time having to put on address labels, stamps, etc. I was going to have two interviews with authors, but they haven't sent back their answers to the questions yet. So keep checking back! Winter is here, and I can finally go sledding! YAY! Of course, that means that I'll have to shovel now instead of mow. I also have had to read Beowulf for one of my Internet classes. Has anyone read it? My mom has banished me from any closet places and her room, because of the fact that Christmas gifts are being hidden. I always feel shunned around Christmas time!:o) Does your mom ever put the gifts under the tree one or two weeks before? Are you ever forbidden from touching or shaking the gifts before hand, just in case you guess what they are?!?!?  : ) 


~Katie