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This Christmas I'm Keeping It Simple

Okay, so the Christmas season is like here already and I am so ready. Well, sort of. I am totally in the Christmas spirit and have been since before Thanksgiving, so much so that Josiah is practically in tears whenever he sees me turn to the Hallmark Channel. "No more Christmas movies, mommy, pleeeaaasse!!!"
I love everything about the season. The lights, the tinsel, the trees, the songs. It almost seems as if the world is a little nicer... or is it me that is being a little nicer? Hey, it can happen, it is the season of miracles, right? I love to see the innocence that I see in my children, expectancy. Their list for Santa. Yes, I still encourage imagination and dreaming. They know that Santa is a pretend figure but they like to pretend and I encourage it.
We are planning on having a simpler Christmas this year. I hate when in years past, I am more exhausted than excited about Christmas Day. We aren't rushing around looking for the perfect gift. We are simply enjoying the season. Watching Christmas classics, listening to Christmas music, baking cookies, pies and treats (haven't started the baking since my oven is being repaired). Enjoying the boys, our Christmas tree with so many wonderful memories dangling from every branch. We are taking it easy. Thinking of going to a movie on Christmas Day. Never done that before, but sounds relaxing. Of course, there will be a full fledged Puerto Rican feast going down in the Nieves home, with family and friends. I think about the only thing I will do up this year will be the Christmas table. I love the dining table. It's the place where we all sit together and laugh and we've cried and laughed some more. The dining table is the place where we are all united and one. No politics (though that has been discussed at the table quite loudly and fervently on more than one occasion), the one place we are face to face for a time without us going our separate ways. Around the table we know each others secrets, joys, heartache and we love unconditionally. It is one of my favorite places in the whole house. We are choosing to do it this way since the time goes by so very fast. The boys are getting older and soon (okay, like in 8 plus years, but still....) they will be out of the house and may not be around for Christmas or Thanksgiving (though they know that mom will hunt them down if they don't...just teasing...no, I'm not...LOL). I want to enjoy them, enjoy us while we are still all together under one roof. I don't want to miss a moment, a second. I want to treasure it all in my heart, sort of like Mary. Thanking God for the "Aha" moment. Thanking Him for allowing me to see that all this stuff is temporal...the gifts, the running around, but the memories will last a lifetime. They will keep me warm when I am old and gray.
What are your plans for this Christmas? Do you have a Christmas memory you would like to share? Do you have a craft or money saving idea you want to share with the rest of us? Please do....
Have yourself a Very Merry Christmas!!!! A fabulous yet simple Christmas!

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