Christmas. . .

. . . is just around the corner! AHHH!! Hey, I love Christmas as much as the rest of you but the days are getting shorter (just 17 more!) and my "To Do" list isn't! I could complain (homeschool, sewing projects, Christmas cards, housework, a sick kid, a sick me, an appointment, cookies to bake, shopping, scout stuff, wrapping gifts, program costumes to be made) but I won't since I'm trying to have a more thankful/postive attitude in even the more grumbly parts of life. Was that a word? "grumbly"? :-) By the way, I did manage to get the house decorated. So. . . I am thankful for--Oh, yes, I realize that it is now the Christmas season not Thanksgiving but bear with me, please! :-) --I am thankful for. . .

• the opportunity to home school our boys
• a great home school program to use
• a little girl to sew for
• the physical ability to do so
• friends and family to send cards to
• a house to live in (mine may be messy but at least I have a house)
• I am better (after being sick for almost a week)
• sick kid isn't throwing up
• 2 great boys who helped take care of me and the other kids when I was sick
• money to go Christmas shopping with
• a husband who is activly involved in Scouts with our boys
• a great church and one that has a Christmas program for the kids
• I'm not in charge this year! :-)
• Last but not least, I'm thankful for my really great husband and our 5 terrific kids! They make all the "To Do's" worth doing.

Well, school is done for another day (mostly anyway) and that "To Do" list is beckoning. I really need to get cracking so that I can hopfully cross off several things by the end of the day. One last thing before I sign off. A good friend of mine sent us a book called "Jotham's Journey" by Arnold Ytreeide. Thanks, Debby! One chapter is read each day of Advent. Jotham is a 10 year old boy living in Judea. It is very good! Our whole family has been enjoying it as I read it each night. I'm having a hard time not cheating and reading ahead to see what happens! I would recommend this book for your family this Christmas season. Merry Christmas to you all!