HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!! We had the greatest time playing BUNCO last night. If you haven't played it before, grab a set bc it was super fun and super easy! Even you little ones can play! Now it is Christmas day and we are waiting for my brother and his wife and little ones and my sister and her husband and little ones...and of course Granny Patton. It has been such a wonderful break here. I hope the Lord has come and blessed you and your family! May His love, forgiveness and grace fill your lives over the next year! I have made it my intention to pray more over the last few weeks. I confess Christmas has not always been enjoyable for me, hence the praying. I have anxiety. I do not always do well in social situations, even sometimes family functions can be overwhelming for me and I get grumpy or withdraw completely and sit there with a frozen smile. Over the last few months I have been forced by school to face my anxiety head on. So, this year I was determined to sing Christmas music at the top of my lungs, hug lots of people, and completely enjoy myself...since I have already spent the last few months touching and talking to stranger in awkward situations and managed to have only very small anxiety attacks. LOL So, this Christmas has been one of the best of my adult life because I chose to try to be brave. It has not been easy but it has been more than worth it to get to full out celebrate with my, and my husband's, wonderful family. I hope if anyone reading is struggling with something of a similar nature, my little blurb about my experience will encourage you and at the very least make you want to try just a little harder. I'm so glad I have. :) ...A savior is born today!!! and I am truly glad Christ came and die for us! :)

Christmas Eve Gift!!! Oh, I bet you have no idea what that means? LOL So, when my Granny Patton was very young, she and her brother and sisters used to play a game on Christmas Eve. They would try to be the first to say "Christmas Eve Gift" to each other and "get" as many people as possible. The tradition continued when she got married and taught the game to her in laws and later to her children, including my father. Now all my cousins, their spouses and children and all my brothers and sisters play Christmas Eve Gift every year. We have gotten quite creative and competitive with one older cousin of mine...he and my mother get kinda nuts about it LOL. I look forward to teaching my children and helping them "get" Nana and Totty (my mom and dad :) ) This Christmas visit to my parents' house has been so lovely. I guess being away from home has really made me appreciate how warm and comfortable home is. I am so excited to do the traditional gingerbread house with my nephew. We have done this for four years now and I love it. I am so glad to have these great family traditions that I can one day share with my own children. Hope you are enjoying your Christmas season! May the Lord Bless you! :)