'Tis the Season **coughcoughscroogecoughcough**

Let's set the record straight. I love the season for what it is, a time to celebrate Jesus. The spirit of giving. If it was really that simple...

But it's not. I try to make it be, but inevitably, there is more. So I'm a scrooge. I fully admit it. I love putting up my tree, I love listening to my Bing Crosby Christmas CD, and I love being with my family.

I hate going to any store. I hate that I get stressed.

This week:

• I overdrew my bank account
• On the way to put cash in for my stupid mistake, I got pulled over for expired plates. They expired in August. I got a citation and a business card. When I get the plates, I call the officer and he won't turn in the citation. Thank God for nice cops.
  
• One of Zane's Christmas present came in the mail--a guitar. He saw it on the porch and I had to give it to him early.
  
• I paid Phil's speeding ticket.
• I yelled at Phil for hanging up on me because he was pissed off about something that happened at work.
• I prayed for and called my friend who had another mastectomy.
• I prayed for my friend's husband who has been sick for three years with no answers, he's going in for more tests this month.
  
• I prayed for my sister's niece who was in an accident during the ice storm that has left her little face destroyed.
• I watched my friend's kids, her mother has breast cancer and isn't expected to make it more than another couple of weeks.
• And then there's the private stuff that I can't put on a public blog.

I wonder if I just have a bad attitude or if more bad stuff seems to come around this time of year?

On the other hand:

• I finished my Christmas shopping--ONLINE. Oh how I'm thankful for online shopping.

• We're healthy except for the common cold and flu nonsense.
  

• We have what we need. Food, clothes, a home, extras, Phil has a job, I'm still writing and will hopefully get paid sometime soon, we're doing well with homeschool and all the stuff Mike mentions on his Master's Artist post today. I really needed that. I don't want to ever take things for granted, though I know I do on a daily basis. I know I'm sounding particularly whiny today and I don't mean it. I'm down about some things and I don't understand a lot of things. I have faith and I know God's choices are the best, but it doesn't mean it's always easy. y'know?
  

• Zane wrote 5 songs so far. The kid is precious to the point of tears. I have to share, he sang while I transcribed the lyrics. Maybe they're only beautiful to a mother. He just strummed the severely out of tune guitar and sang his little heart out. I understand as completely as I can "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" because of my living room serenade by my son.

My Family and Me

My family and me
My family and me
They're the best
They help me when I'm stuck
They love me too
I love them

Whatever I Do

Whatever I do my parents still love me
Even when they're mad at me they still love me
Whenever I don't listen they still love me
Whatever I do
They still love me

About Mom

About mom
About mom
I can't replace her
She's the best
About mom

His other two are About Dad and My Friends, which are both very similar to About Mom.

If...

If I can just keep listening to those songs.

If I can just keep remembering the innocence of the motive in creating.

If I can just keep remembering that I am God's precious daughter.

If I can just keep remembering that He has given me a gift, whether it was wrapped pretty and tied with a bow or whether I found it out on the porch, it is still His gift to me.

If I can just keep remembering that my heartfelt attempts to please Him will be accepted with sheer joy and love...

then maybe I can get through this holiday.