Santa Baby,

• Dear Santa,
• I know it has been a very long time since I've written to you. Please accept my apologies...I know you probably assume that it is because since I'm all grown up now, that I don't believe you anymore. That's not true.
  

I've just been awfully busy the past 25 years. It's not that I haven't thought about writing you my wishlist.

I haven't forgotten about you! I really have been a good girl, er....woman and I sure feel like I deserve alot this Christmas....

If it' s not too much trouble, can you go over my Christmas list?

• Here goes:
• I want....um...Ok. I need a, oh...wait a minute. I've really had my heart set on a well, what do you call it? Oh my, my mind has gone blank.
• Well, Mr. Santa Claus, I guess all I really want this Christmas is a whole lot of um.... smiles from children when they open their presents. Lots of pictures taken by yours truly where everyone in the picture is happy. I want lots of laughter and contentment.
• No fighting. No heartburn from overstuffing. No tears.
• I want all the right size batteries for all the right toys and the knowledge to put them together.
• I want snow. Preferably starting at 6 am. Lasting through out the day. BIG snowflakes, please.
• I want this to be the best Christmas ever.
• Don't forget, I've never been on the naughty list. So I'm sure you will have it in your heart to make all my wishes come true this year.
• Thank you.
• Sincerely,
• Gina
• 
  P.S. Those boots wouldn't be too shabby either :)

Brrrrrrrrreeatthhhe....

• Brrr. It's that time of year. Cold and Christmas-y and don't forget crazy!!! Everyone is so busy getting ready for the Holidays. As if we aren't busy enough with just work, kids, school and everything else that just comes along with day to day life..then throw the Christmas season into the mix and BAM! Chaos!
• Don't get me wrong...I absolutely heart the holiday season and all that entails. No matter how cold it is outside, you seem to carry a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. There is something magical about it. You see more smiles in the faces of the people encounter and a lot more kind words are said this time of year. I love how I love yous are thrown around more at Christmas. It's like we are all so much more thankful for the gifts that are our family and friends and we appreciate them more this time of year. But it's so busy. We often forget what we are rushing around for, times are so busy, money is so tight, people get so overwhelmed it's often a sad time of year for some folks.
• I'm here to say STOP, take a breath...don't get "snagged" on the idea of spending and rushing and stressing....Take a breath, regroup and just listen to me.
• I heard a story on the radio about a single mother who had two small children and times were tight. She couldn't afford much for her children but one child reminded her that it was Jesus birthday, and they should make him a birthday cake. No matter how little was under the tree, she could afford to make a birthday cake to celebrate the real reason for the season. It became a tradition that she passed down to those two children and now they have the same tradition also. Many people forget the true reason as to why we are celebrating.
• That's a true gift in it's own right. Hold onto it. You've unwrapped it. You carry it in your heart. The love for your family and friends and most of all the biggest present you could ever receive is the gift of knowing and accepting Jesus into your heart. Hold onto that gift all year long. Don't exchange it for busy schedules that make you forget what's important. Don't return it because you are so broke this year you think all hope is lost, because that is NOT what Christmas is about. It's about a baby born specifically to grow up to die on the cross for you and I so that our sins may be forgiven. You will never find a love greater or a gift bigger than the love you will feel having God in your life.
• Baby, it's cold outside. Warm your home and your heart with the love of the real reason for the season. Jesus. The gifts you wrap won't seem as important. The ones you can't afford will become less frustrating. But the gift of His love will last year the whole year long.