ReNewMe

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Posted renewme on December 25th, 2007 | Filed under General

It was a  Merry Christmas here!  It’s not quite over, but for the most part it is.  We will have one more celebration with my parents and dh parents when they come to town this weekend.  We went to church yesterday afternoon, followed by dinner at BIL and SIL house.  All the  cousins exchanged gifts.  We drew names around thanksgiving and we  buy for whoever’s names we draw.  We started this 4 or 5 years ago, to cut down on some of the expense of the holiday.  We also stopped giving gifts to the adults about that time.  Instead we decided to start donating to Heifer International.  We all go and buy whatever we want anyway throughout the year, and it seemed like we were just trading money, by buying gift cards anyway.  This way, we still give in a symbolic way, and the money goes to help buy animals for people to help them make a living.  You can find more info at www.heifer.org    This way of giving intrigues me around the holidays.  We’ve also given to world vision.  I’ve had the thought of seeing if our church could host an alternative gift fair around the holidays.  I’ve read about these.  You invite charity groups to come and people can shop for alternative gifts, by donating to the organization in honor of someone.  There was a church near us that had a fair where they sold products made by people in like 3rd world countries, and so much of the money made went directly to them.  I wanted to go check it out, but the weather was not good that day.  I just think the whole retail aspect of christmas has gotten way to crazy.  My dh works retail, so I’ve heard some stories about crazy shopping days around the holiday.  What really makes the day special is being with your family and friends.  And that’s exactly what we’ve done so far this year.  We were with dh bro and sis families last night.  We had a nice quiet day at home as a family, playing with our new things.  I don’t really even remember the kids fighting all that much.  That in itself was one of the best christmas presents I received! And as I said earlier we will spend time with our parents this weekend. 

 I have been a bad girl with journaling my food the past 3 days.  I have not recorded anyting since Sun. morning I think it was.  I’m going to go now, and try to guess at what I ate today, and tomorrow I WILL get back on program!