I am so excited that the Holidays are here! We have already had a very busy season and from the look of my calendar, there is more to come!

Last weekend we took Leila on her first ever "Mommy and Daddy ONLY" trip! Brooke was on a special trip with David's parents, so we took Leila away! Leila decided to go to Nashville, TN! We walked all around the Gaylord Resorts (beautiful), walked through ICE, and shopped at the Opry Mills Mall! This was built where Opryland used to be! The only thing left of Opryland that I noticed was the Thunder River!

This year we had Thanksgiving at my house! It was great! I did all the cooking and no one died! LOL! Of course, along with the cooking came the cleaning~but it was okay!! Brooke wants to learn to do some "real" cooking, but before we embark on allowing her full range in the kitchen, she has to learn to clean the kitchen. She helped me with the dishes and to make a pumpkin praline cheesecake!

I am so excited about Christmas this year! Already, my tree has been up for two weeks! I have been listening to Christmas music for over a month!!! I plan to fully enjoy the Christmas season this year...in a way I have never enjoyed it before! In the past I have allowed the stress of the goings and comings to take over the true meaning behind all the glitz and bows. Not this year. Taking the time to sit, look at the tree, the ornaments on it, reflect on the birth of Jesus and remind my children about what the season means.

The next few weeks will be slammed...programs, music, wrapping gifts, parties, parades...but rest assured that those things will not overshadow what is important.

Merry CHRISTmas!