Five For Friday: Christmas Edition of "Would You Rather"

 Hello friends!

I'm not consistent with the Five for Friday and this week I decided to pull five Would You Rather questions I found from the internet.  There was a bunch of questions but I pulled 5 that I thought was the best.  If you have the time and want to play along I'd love to read your answers in the comment section or on your own blog.  Let's go ...

1.  Would you rather give gifts or receive gifts?

Give.  Receiving gifts is nice and appreciative but I feel awkward accepting things from others.  I'd much rather give to others.  

2.  Would you rather travel for Christmas or stay home?

Stay home!  

3.  Would you rather go to a Christmas party or or have a Christmas movie day?

Definitely would rather stay home and watch movies.  

4.  Would you rather open Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

I always give my kids one gift on Christmas Eve and it's a pair of new pajamas and a book, maybe some candy too.  Everything else is opened on Christmas morning.  

5.  Would you rather live in a snow globe or a gingerbread house?

Gingerbread house.  I can eat my way out of that.  

Prepping for Christmas 2025

  As I was reading BillieJo's blog post for today she said something that really stuck with me, "This is the only Christmas 2025 we will celebrate."  Wow!  That's pretty powerful.  Yes, we do have Christmas year after year but this will be the only one of the year 2025 and the only one that will be everything that it is.  With having a mother in late stage Alzheimer's who also battles other health issues I do keep in mind that this could possibly be the last Christmas we have with her.  In fact, it could even be the last one I have with my father or my husband's parents, or anyone for that matter, since none of us know when our time is coming up.  I know that sounded morbid, maybe, but you know what I mean.  This is also the last Christmas we have before my son goes off to college.  He'll be home next Christmas for break but it will feel very different.  Christmas no longer feels as it used to and some traditions have changed (like Santa Claus - my kids don't believe anymore) but so much is still the same.  Every year we celebrate the true meaning, the birth of Jesus.  We'll attend our church's Christmas Eve candlelight service and then wake up on Christmas Day to open gifts.  That moment I have in the morning with just the four of us is special and it won't be long before my kids will be doing that in their own homes with their own families.  Every Christmas will continue to have some of the same traditions but then some changes as well.  Change ... ugh, I don't do well with change at all.  

But I won't think of the past or even the future.  In one week we will be celebrating the Christmas of 2025 and I will do my best to make it as wonderful as it can be.  No stressing over what I can't control.  Like, finding out one week before the holiday that my sister-in-law decided she did not want to host dinner at her house, which had been tradition for years.  It's okay, I understand the financial burden of it all but now I have to take time to clean and organize a house that isn't very clean at the moment and doesn't have a lot of space to hold guests.  I know, we'll figure it out.  I'm also not finished with Christmas shopping and, as usual, I'll be stuck in the middle of crowded stores trying to get it all done.  But, like every year, it will get done.  We haven't watched all of the Christmas movies I've wanted to because everyone has their own busy schedules and we all need to be here and there and by the time the kids are home they are exhausted.  It's okay, we've already seen a few movies and we'll squeeze some time for a few more.  

Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Savior, the one who brings peace to the world.  What would Christmas be if we didn't surround ourselves with peace?  This holiday season I am choosing peace over stress.  

And yes, you can spot my children's school pictures for this year.  Every year the pictures in those frames change but this year is my son's last.  That picture will remain.  My daughter's will change three more times.  

Time doesn't stand still but for the next week it's all going to be about Christmas 2025 and I'll cherish every moment while it's here.  

Another Snowy Day in PA

 On Saturday evening the snow began to fall and it continued throughout the night.  We woke up on Sunday morning to a few inches blanketing the ground.  I do find snow to be very pretty - from the inside of my house staring at it from the window.  Because Sunday was church and my husband teaches a boys Sunday school class we had to go.  I'm glad we did.  As always, the sermon was well spoken and filled with Biblical teaching.  We learned that the executive pastor is leaving and starting a church of his own further north.  It came as a shock and a sad feeling but we do understand the importance of going where God leads.  

The drive made for beautiful scenery.  These pictures don't do justice.  

Our husky, who I've already stated is not one who enjoys the cold, white stuff, seemed to have a little fun with it.  Maybe she's finally realizing she was bred to be a snow dog.  She spent a lot of time outside and then indoors for a nap in between play.  

Because of low temperatures and morning icy roads the school called for a two-hour delay.  It was nice having a slow start this morning and then I made it through the van run.  All but one student made it in today.  In less than two hours it will be time to bring them home.  So, I'm using the little time I have in between to get laundry done, some housework and, of course, taking a minute to write his blog.  

Are you in an area of the country that has seen any snow this weekend? 

On The 12th Day of Christmas ...

 

My apologies for not being consistent in blogging.  I'm quite envious of those of you who post on a specific weekly schedule.  I'd like to do better since this blog is a fun way to meet others and also have a special place to jot down some of the things happening in my life, as well as what I may be feeling at the time.  It's nice to have a place to look back on.  Sometimes I will look at old blog posts and think to myself oh, I've forgotten about that.  

So, here we are, 12 days until Christmas and just like this time every year I am not prepared.  I always find myself rushing to buy gifts while telling myself I'm going to start shopping earlier next year but then ... here I am getting ready to do it all again.  Christmas shopping seemed a lot simpler when my kids were little and enjoyed playing with toys.  There were so many options when it came to toys and dolls.  Now, they are a teenager and young adult and what do you get for a teenager and young adult?  Moreso, the practical things that are needed like electronics, books, and gift cards.  That's all I can think of.  It's also frustrating to not know what to get my husband and I certainly don't know what to get my parents because those two don't need anything and usually just give the stuff away to someone else.  I try not to stress, because Christmas should not be about stressing over gift buying, but instead remembering the greatest gift of all - Jesus our Savior.  

This morning I woke up to a quiet house while Rob and the kids left to do a one mile race nearby.  I'm the only non-runner in the family and I'm okay with that.  Then my son will be off to work for a few hours and when he returns I'll be taking the kids coat shopping.  Yes, it's mid-December and they have yet to have a new coat.  Teens these days usually don't wear them but it's needed.  They outgrew their other ones and I did not realize that soon enough.  I will try to sneak some gift buying as well.  

Happy Saturday y'all!