Once again it's been a few days since I've posted anything. Last week was such a hectic week that I didn't even check my email, so now I have to spend a good 20-30 minutes sending junk to my trashcan. That busy. But unfortunately life doesn't stop when we need it to. I woke up this morning and it happened to be December, like I hope it was for most of you. Where did this entire year go?? Let alone November?! So December is here and there is much to do, let's jump into it!

I am all about traditions. Well except a few. Like Thanksgiving, we celebrate one genocide with another and spend money we don't have on things people don't need right after we talk about how thankful we are for everything. It doesn't make sense to me. My heart was truly saddened this past Thursday thinking of the millions of Native Americans who lost their lives on their own land all because of white mans greed. Plus the millions of turkeys who are caged their entire lives only to have their throats slit while hanging upside down and living a few minutes to soak in their pain. And to top it off, the ridiculous amount of money corporate America gets from people who are blind and don't understand the real vote is with their dollar. It's just a tradition I don't agree with. On a lighter note, other traditions such as throwing rice at the bride and groom and asking the teacher for permission to use the restroom are pointless in my opinion and they just need to go. But when it comes to family traditions and making memories for my son, I'm all about them! There are certain things Zak and I have done every year we have been together and we want to incorporate those in Zaylens upbringing as well as other things. As far as Christmas goes, we always pick out our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. That's something I've done my entire life and I wouldn't have it any other way! We also decorate as a family, order take out, and bake cookies. This is seriously one of my favorite days of the year, do you know how relaxing this is? We watch the same movies every year, wear the same Christmas themed socks, and enjoy hot chocolate and desserts way too much. Zak and I also get each other the same thing for presents each year. He gets me some type of cooking pan/pot, this year I'm hoping for a wok! And each year I get him a hoodie/sweatshirt. It's just a funny little thing we love to keep going. We visit the same houses for Christmas gatherings, have the same schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, drive around all month to look at lights, and since Zacharys birthday is right before Christmas we always have a dinner with friends that weekend. December looks the same for us. Excuse me, Zaylen has something to say...

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He has been dying to get his hands on this keyboard and after standing against my back fussing for a few minutes, I finally caved in. So back to my point about Christmas traditions...There are a few things we want to start with Zaylen this year. I love the idea of the 25 books of Christmas! It's a collection of 25 books that you read to your child starting on December 1 and finishing on Christmas Day. I'll write a post on that when I'm finished with this one. I want Zaylen to think of others during this time of year, well I want him to do that all year round, but especially at this time when he is receiving gifts and other children have nothing. What better way to give a child a Christmas than Operation Christmas Child! This is a great organization ran by Samaritan's Purse, you collect items for a boy or girl, all different ages, and you place them in a shoebox and wrap it. The boxes are then sent to other countries and given to children who don't receive presents on Christmas. This program is  even more special because they share the love of Christ to these children. These are kids who don't have access to Bibles or who have never heard about Jesus and it's just such a neat way to share His love! Zaylen can't help too much this year, but we are making boxes for a little boy and little girl. Other traditions we want to start this year with Zaylen include; visiting Santa (duhh), setting out cookies and almond milk for Santa on Christmas Eve, making a special ornament for the tree, and hopefully sending out Christmas cards if I can ever get around to it. What traditions do you have? Will you start any new ones this year?

This is a busy month for us, as well as most people, but through all the gifts and baking and talk of Santa, I hope we all are reminded daily of the real reason for the season. We were sent a precious baby who lived a perfect life before He selflessly laid his life down so that we could be saved. That's the best gift we will ever receive! I hope you all have an amazing month ahead!!


xoxo
Cursty