Christmas Cookies

You know that feeling you get when December hits, like you're standing on a platform and the Christmas train is whizzing by and you better jump on or you're gonna miss it?! I swear no matter how many traditions we indulge in, I feel like we're missing or forgetting ten others.  Anyway, this one landed in my lap and I'm glad it did. I was at my sister's house yesterday and her husband was making gingerbread dough (yes, he spontaneously does that and many other festive things which I love and admire). So, I talked him into giving me a chunk of it, and I brought it home (as well as a few of his cute cookie cutters) and had a classic Christmas family night with my favorite people. For someone like me who stresses out about getting enough Christmas in before it's over, it was so satisfying. If we don't make it back on the Christmas train for the rest of the month, at least last night we had one good ride!

Giving Thanks

I only ever really wanted two things - to be a wife (with the stipulation that I would fall madly in love with someone who was madly in love with me) and to be a mother. Having had the happiest possible childhood experience in a big happy family, all I wanted for myself as an adult was just that - a big, happy family. Now that I have all that I fondly dreamed of since I was a girl, I get pretty choked up when I think about how lucky I am. I pray every day (at least twice) that we'll always be safe and well, and that we'll always be together. And since I'm totally dependent on Jesus Christ for those things to remain possible, I get a little choked up when I think about Him too. Since it's that thankful time of year, I feel inclined to give credit where it's due. Gifts like these could only come from God, and I'm so grateful to Him.