It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!

The Top 5 Reasons that you Know Christmas is Just Around the Corner:
5. The temperature in Tennessee is consistently starting to fall below 80 degrees!
4. Christmas Village was held last week. Yippee!!
3. All of the cute boutiques/stores are having their "Christmas Open Houses".
2. Sadie has already had her picture made with Santa.
...and the #1 reason that you know Christmas is just around the corner....
1. Starbucks is using their Christmas cups!!!!

Oh, how I love Christmas. If it wasn't for Dennis, I would already have Christmas music blaring on all of the radios. But, he has always had this rule that I can't listen to it until Thanksgiving. Bah Humbug!

I have actually already started my Christmas shopping, which is rare. I usually don't even think about it until after Thanksgiving. It's not that I'm a procrastinator...it's usually just that I can't seem to get into the Christmas mood until then. But, for some reason, I've started early this year. I think a lot of it has to do with the excitement of this being Sadie's first Christmas. We had her picture made w/ Santa at Christmas Village last Friday when we went with Dennis' mom (Grammy) and his Grandma. Oh, what an adventure! It was the 1st time I've been shopping with the 2 of them, and oh, how much fun! If they picked something up and Sadie smiled or laughed at it, it was hers! We had a stroller full of stuff by the end of the day. I'm not even sure what all they bought. My head never stopped spinning. But, it definitely helped me to get into the Christmas spirit early this year. Okay, back to Sadie getting her picture made with Santa. I was determined that she was going to freak out! I mean, she doesn't even know what "Santa" is or what it means, not to mention, she doesn't know anyone that has a long, white curly beard that says "Ho Ho Ho" all of the time. But, we sat her in his lap, and she was mesmerized. It was so precious! She looked up at him and played with his beard. It was the most precious thing in the world. I figured she's scream and want out of this "stranger's" lap. But, no way! She knew right away who this sweet man was that will bring her lots of toys for years to come. I guess every innocent child knows the first time they look into Santa's eyes. I could almost see the magic begin. Oh, to be a kid again!

I remember growing up that Christmas was the most special time in the world. I know that it is for most kids, but I guess I just feel that mine was more special than anyone's, because it was my own experience. We didn't get tons and tons of "presents" throughout the year. It's not that we were ever deprived of anything, but my parents were good about not spoiling us to death. So, that meant that Christmas was that much more special. My parents always went "all out". It was wonderful. I cannot wait to do that for Sadie.

I'm going to try my best to not get lost in the stressful things of Christmas this year. I don't want to get caught up in the "financial burdens", or the "when are we visiting whom", or the "we didn't spend enough on him/her", etc. I want to enjoy every moment. I want to sit back and watch Sadie as she marvels at the small things. I want to see her eyes light up when she looks at the Christmas tree, and I want to see her get so excited when she gets to play with the wrapping paper on Christmas morning. I almost can't contain myself! I guess this is what it's all about...