Getting Ready.

I can't hold out any longer.

For us -- it is officially 25 days before our little family Christmas, so the countdown has begun. We always have our own celebration with just the five of us about a week before Christmas - then on the actual Holiday we have a big bash with my whole side of the family, and on New Year's Day another bash with Kev's side. This spreads things out a bit, and it allows us to make our own traditions while still celebrating with both sides of the family. It works for us.

So -- the Christmas music has started playing, the candles are out in every window, we have started our Advent countdown, and the decorations are slowly starting to make their way here and there throughout our home. I have a rule that during the month of December only Christmas music can be played and only Christmas books can be read. The boys all humor me - at least for the first couple of weeks. We'll see how long it goes this year. In my book, it just seems wrong to listen to or read about anything else. The season is so short!

It is going to be a "Very Merry Yardsale Christmas" for us this year. Simple and inexpensive, but oh so very fun and festive. This year, I also told the two big boys that they could have their very own little tree in their bedroom, so the handmade "ornaments" - (if you can call them that) are getting made, and the presents are already starting to be wrapped and stashed away. 'Tis the season for much re-gifting, which makes for playing with toys in the New Year always a little tricky.

I will often hear: "Hey! That's my truck!"
"Not anymore. You gave it to me for Christmas."
"Oh. Well, do you want to trade back?"
Good times.

But for now, they have definitely caught the Christmas spirit, and I love to see them wrapping up toys and treasures that they know the other will love.

* * * * *
Here's a sneak peek at just a couple of the boy's gifts:

I know there are millions of children's Bibles to choose from, but two very dear friends have me convinced that this is one of the best. It is actually going to be one of Ransom's gifts, but it really is perfect for children ages three and older.

What I love about this particular Bible, and what I think makes it stand out from so many others is that that author weaves Jesus and the promise of salvation and the message of His coming into each and every story.

Every story truly does "whisper His name."

"The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the other stories of the Bible. It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And at the center of the Story, there is a baby, the Child upon whom everything would depend. From Noah to Moses to King David, every story whispers His name. Jesus is the missing peice in the puzzle - the peice that makes all the other peices fit together. Jesus is at the center of God's great story of salvation - and He is at the center of our story, too." ~ Sally Lloyd Jones, Author.

So, super cool.


And a gift that my Mom is giving is Paws and Tales on C.D.

These are put out by Chuck Swindoll with Insight for Living, and they are designed for younger audiences than, say - Adventures In Odyssey. Very similar, but there are animals for characters instead of people, and the stories are made for much younger audiences.

These are not cheap, but they are well worth every dime spent. There are three seasons available, and each season comes with twelve c.d.'s with two stories on each c.d. Hours of great listening and great messages for the kids to hear.


We use these almost exclusively for long road trips and rest time at our house. Our two oldest boys rarely nap now, but we always have a quiet time, and these are perfect for that time of day.

Okay. This is my last Christmas post until this week is over.
Thanksgiving still has much to be celebrated.