Tis The Season To Be Merry

When did the meaning of Christmas go from

                                                                         To this:

Sometimes I really think that people forget the meaning of Christmas.

Christmas it not about how many gifts you received but being grateful to have family and friends in your life. It is the rejoicing of Christ our Lord. It is about helping those that are in need, providing love, laughter and hope to those who are less fortunate.It is about spreading this love.

Yes..... I have stood outside Walmart at 2am waiting for great deals. And no, I never did it again.

I do know that there are still alot of good out there and that there are numerous amounts of people who are caring and loving during this season. I would love to personally hug every person who during this season that does not loose their head to the materialistic demands.

What aggravates me during this season are the people who feel they have to treat every other human being horrible by yelling, shouting, being rude, and downright intolerable. If you have not guessed yet, I work retail partime, and I almost forgot how nasty humans could be until the Christmas season started. I just could never imagine treating another person the way some of these people treat me and others in the stores. Of course, every time someone is overly rude to me, I just smile and think to myself that a stupid toy is not worth getting upset over. I just do not understand how you see the worst of people during what is suppose to be the happiest time of the year.

Really bummed tonight. Went to Walmart and did not have any cash to put into the bucket. There was a little girl ( no more then 5) Ringing the bell and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. It almost made me cry, and yet I saw hope through that little girl. Standing out in the wind and the cold, trying to raise money to make someone Else's Christmas better. I pray for a Merry Christmas for that little girl, and that I am good enough of a mother for my son to have that big of a heart some day.

It was the first time that I did not put money into the bucket and I even thought about hitting up an ATM just to bring a little hope to that girls night. I do not know the girl, may never see her again, but I am proud of her.



I am really looking forward to a relaxing a fun day with the girls next Saturday. Finishing up a little Christmas shopping and a nice dinner with Olive Garden. It has been well past due and this day has been desperately needed to keep my sanity from school , work , and a house full of boys.

I am looking forward to this on Saturday:

As well as this:

With the girls

Being a Friend and having true friends in life is essential, and I will always be grateful for the girls in my life and their support, love and laughter that they provide to my life.

This past year has been a true test to my strength. This past semester has been a true test to my sanity however. I am going into my final two weeks of school this semester and if I survive without loosing my mind I will be surprised.

 I just keep telling myself two more weeks, two more weeks! Next semester will be a breeze, then two more classes in the summer, then off to student teaching!!!! Almost done! I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!

What I am grateful for:

My family and friends who show me nothing but love and support through this very stressful and difficult time in my life.

My husband and son, with them I am complete. With them I know that there is a greater purpose to this life. And for them I am a better person.

I am grateful that I was able to make myself to sit down and read a book last night.

Health

God, for through him all things are possible

Pray List:

Laura and her family: I pray that her father recovers quickly and that he is able to spend a joyous Christmas with his loved ones.

Grandpa Henry: I pray for his health and a safe trip back home.

Jayson: I pray that work at FedEx this holiday season is not too stressful for him and that he is able to finally enjoy at least one Christmas in his life time

I pray for all my family and friends that they have safe travels through this holiday season. I pray for their health and happiness.

Last but not least:

I pray that God opens the hearts of those this holiday season. I pray that he helps us all to become better people. I pray that he helps us all to be more like the little girl sitting outside in the cold bitter winds, saying Merry Christmas to everyone walking by the bucket. I pray that God opens that up in us all.

Life

I honestly believe that school is going to be the death of me some times. I feel as though I have been reading text books, taking notes, studying for exams, and writing essays/reflections/term papers for three years straight now. I am starting to really regret that I never took a summer off because now that I am senior I feel totally burnt out on the whole experience which in turn has made me really reflect on my decisions of a career choice.  Thank God for my son and husband who gives me inspiration to keep pushing through it and to keep reaching for what is best for our family!

The downside of this semester is that I could no longer take night classes and had to switch to all day classes. This alone I think broke my heart worse then the actual classes that I had to take because for the first time sense we have had our son he has been going to day care full time. Previously, I have always been a stay at home mom with my son during the day and never had to leave him until night (when it was not to far away from his bed time). It just kills me that I cannot spend as much time with my son and that I have to take him to daycare everyday and leave him there until I am finished with classes. I am pretty sure that a small piece of my heart breaks down when I leave and rush to class every morning. Another down side to this is that I took on a part time job to help pay for the full time daycare expenses, which makes it even worse to to find time to spend with my family. I feel as if I am not at school or at work, then I am locked in a room rushing to get all my homework finished for the next day. Days like this makes me wonder if I am even doing the right thing for my son........


Something that I have recently taken on will hopefully be a blessing to my life. I have recently become a Scentsy consultant to help out with monthly bills and hopefully replace the retail job that I currently have. I am looking forward to the chance of making extra income for my family by choosing what hours and days that work best for my family. I am also looking forward to getting a chance to get out and socialize with friends again..... thanks to school I feel as if I never get to spend time with anyone. This could however become dangerous for the extreme love for Scentsy products and all their different scents....... I just love it all!!!! 

I know for the next couple of months life is going to be very hectic trying to get my new business up and prospering while finishing up this semester of classes. But the great news is that next semester is going to be a walk in the park (completely and totally!!!) , MY WHOLE SUMMER WILL BE OFF FROM SCHOOL~~!!!!!, and then student teaching next fall!! Then I am finished with school!!! Yah!!!

My ultimate goals for the next couple of months:

As bad as this sounds, try to not take school so serious and make more time for my son
Take one night a month to spend with my girls
Take one night a month for a date night with my husband
Have fun with my new Scentsy Business and make the most out of the opportunity
Spend more time with my grandmother, mother and sisters and cherish the moments we have together
Sleep in with my son every Saturday morning, followed by laying in bed watching Saturday morning cartoons with him
Find more opportunities to laugh
Start a workout program (YES Laura.... that means Zumba!)

(Totally going to steal this from you Laura : )

People to keep in my thoughts:

Grandpa Henry- He just recently flew in from Japan to have surgery done and will be staying until Christmas. I pray that he has a speedy recovery and that surgery goes smoothly.
Grandma Van Hyning- I pray that I have more opportunities to spend with my grandmother. She is getting older and lives by herself. I know that she is lonely and it breaks my heart that I do not live closer to her. 
My sister Ariel, her boyfriend, and his family members for their loss.
Laura- I pray that the next two years of college goes smoothly for her and that it is speedy. I know how hard it is to go back to school and I pray for all the success on this new journey for her and her husband. I also pray safe travel back and forth from classes to home.
My husband- I pray that all of his hard work and determination does not go unnoticed and that he drive is not taken for granted
Our son Jaydon and allowing him to have a life full of love, laughter and endless opportunities